I must be miss understanding something because I just don't see where it says you have to get BAH based on the old PDS. I went and read U10406 A1 and I don't know what it means by "Government Defers Dependent Travel". But it still says "paid at old PDS rate or the dependents location" It looks like they don't start talking about remote tours until section U10408 where A1 says "based on dependents location or old PDS if the dependents remained in the residence" they were in before the PCS. A10 is confusing because it seems to contradict A1.

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There's No Toilet Paper on the Road Less Traveled.

Chuck, you only lose your follow-on if the Air Force INCURS EXPENSES moving your dependents (or storing your goods) during the unaccompanied tour. We moved from California to New Jersey (and then Korea) at our own expense and didn't lose the follow-on.

Kara

So you have to keep your same bah from your last base.?Do you get to keep the leftover money if there is any left ? Like you do in the states

Everything I'm finding on this change indicates that yes, it is a done deal..those AF spouses who relocate on their own get BAH at the rate of their last base, and the reasoning I've heard for it is the rash of fraudulent claims of spousal residences to get the higher BAH.

I have no information *outside* AF sources about how this change affects other branches, so it's possible it could be overlooked by the Army,etc. , but if that -is- the case, and Army spouses are receiving BAH at the rates where they reside, and not their last base, I think it's time for a bunch of AF spouses to be contacting their congressmen.

I suppose this cut in BAH rates is one of those "mega benefits" package that we as military families receive that President Bush used as his justifcation for not wanting us to get that 3.5% pay raise Congress recommended? (BTW, in case ya'll missed the news... he vetoed that bill, and our raise has been reduced. Check it out..so much for supporting our troops?)

Pixie: To answer your question, if you are collecting BAH, instead of OHA, you get the set BAH amount,and if the entirety of that amount isn't spent on your rent,and utilities,you pocket anything extra. Many people who live in areas where housing is relatively inexpensive (mortgages are low) often buy for that reason..they end up making addtional money per year.

My question is this: we know this change affects those who relocate CONUS during a remote.. how does this affect NCS spouses? Do they now receive only the BAH for their former base? Have you guys still there noted any changes? If NCS spouses are still receiving OHA, then hey, in many cases, coming NCS is very beneficial..if not..well.. it's a step backward,and makes me wonder about General Bell's promise to keep NCS spouses in good standing.

One *huge* problem I see here is that information isn't getting from the source to the rank and file until *months* -after- the change is made. Hmm.. I wonder if they fear it's bad PR to let the public know they're cutting benefits to military families during an election year.

Dee :)

My whole point. The Army moved my wife to another destination other than my follow-on assignment and stored my household goods during my first year over here. I did not lose my follow-on assignment until I AIP'd over here.

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CH-47 SI

They must find it difficult...

Those who have taken authority as the truth, rather than truth as the authority. --Gerald Massey

"To answer your question, if you are collecting BAH, instead of OHA, you get the set BAH amount,and if the entirety of that amount isn't spent on your rent,and utilities,you pocket anything extra. Many people who live in areas where housing is relatively inexpensive (mortgages are low) often buy for that reason..they end up making addtional money per year"


So let me make sure I'm right. If have bah where I'm located I will recieve the same. My oha will be the same as the oha I get in Korea?

I doubt that George Bush is directing how information on this change is being handled. But I am SURE the Air Force doesn not want to discourage anyone brom volunteering to go to Korea.

I'm really angry that I am (literally) paying ofr the crimes of others. That monetary loss was the Air Force's own fault - For not requiring proof. Anybody want to see MY lease?????

That is not a move at your expense though, I mean it could be... but in most cases the Gov't authorizes you to move your dependents when you are given a short tour.... am I confused here???

Not..exactly.

If during your husband's remote, you choose to relocate to somewhere other than your follow-on in the U.S., you will receive BAH at the rate of your last base, -no matter where in the U.S. you move-. For example , if you're husband leaves from Shaw for his remote.. and you move to say... New York..to be with family, you will recieve BAH at the Shaw rate. If you leave from Moody AFB ,and move to Las Vegas to be with family..you still get BAH for Moody AFB. In some instances, the BAH one receives at their last base might be a greater amount than what they would receive in the area in which they reside,and if that's the case, they're golden. However, if someone moves to an area with substantially higher living expenses..they stand to absorb a *HUGE* loss,as they won't even be making enough BAH to pay their rent.

I'm not certain how this change will affect NCS spouses recieving OHA.. if they will be allowed to continue to collect OHA at the "with dependants rate" or if they too will now be receiving BAH at their last base's rate.

OHA is the Overseas Housing Allowance, and while it is the same -principle- as BAH, money intended to pay for your housing, it is a little different than BAH in the fact that the amount you receive is not a generic amount,as BAH is.. With OHA , you receive -only- the amount of rent specified on your lease...you also usually get a utility allowance along with it.

Hopefully,someone can offer more enlightened info as to how this change will affect NCS spouses..technically, by definition, you'd think that since NCS spouses are living overseas, they'd fall under the "Overseas" label..but.. who can tell? Tap, if you're still reading,and you have some resources, could you maybe check into that for us?

Dee :)