BAH during basic?

[Amalgamation]

I'm shipping to basic in May. I'm single with no dependents. I am responsible for paying a lease. Will having a lease in my name qualify me for BAH while in BCT?

[VICEROY06]

The answer is Yes.

[Amalgamation]

Thanks for the response. How do I get it taken care of, do I bring my lease to basic? My room mates name is also on the lease, do I get full BAH or just my share of the rent?

[Hanson]

Bring your lease and a utility bill for that address and you should be good to go.

[MPThink]

Bring your lease to your recruiter before shipping to BCT, and bring it with you with the other paperwork you bring when you ship.

[Amalgamation]

Thanks everyone.

[jmooi]

So then would it be the same for someone with a mortgage?

[MPThink]

Yes, BAH is determined by your zip code and dependents (and also rank, I'm fairly sure).

[SteveLord]

So then would it be the same for someone with a mortgage?

Yes, BAH is determined by your zip code and dependents (and also rank, I'm fairly sure).

For documentation (for those with depedents), you shouldn't need any. I don't know what they do nowadays, they always went by my home of residence for me. And back then, I never had to show any kind of paperwork.

For amount you get

1. By ZIP code

2. By dependents or no dependents (obviously more with dependents. More dependents doesn't increase amount.)

3. By rank. E1-E4 is all the same. E5+ you get increasing amounts with every rank. Same goes for officers.

[HR NCO]

For documentation, you shouldn't need any.

If you have dependents you dont need documentation for BAH. If single then you must provide lease or mortgage.

[SteveLord]

If you have dependents you dont need documentation for BAH. If single then you must provide lease or mortgage.

Yup, that's what I meant. I went ahead and made that more clear. Thanks.

[BryanIL]

So for a single person with no dependents, is anything else in addition to a lease necessary in order to qualify for BAH? My last drill is in a few weeks and I'm attempting to have all my paperwork squared away.

[VICEROY06]

Attention newlywed members: If you're in a situation where you are recently married or you've been married a while or just living together in a house, and only one of you are currently listed on the deed/lease, you can apply for a quitclaim deed either through a lawyer or you can print up a PDF copy from the internet.

Here's the deal: Typically, if you are in the aforementioned predicament, the only way to have a name added to the deed from the mortgage lender is to refinance the house. With a quitclaim deed, you can simply have your spouse release the property to both you and your spouse. Why is this necessary? If you're shipping off soon and own a home, you will most likely need to set up a quitclaim deed so you can collect your BAH.

It works basically like this:

The Grantor: Christopher Lee for the consideration of: one dollar ($1.00) conveys and quit claims to the Grantee: Christopher Lee and Jennifer Lee in the county of: Shawshank, state of Iowa blah, blah, blah, hereto and forthwith.

I would suggest just printing one off of the internet. Doesn't make sense to pay a lawyer for what you can easily do yourself. Also, you will need to find a notary to sign off and stamp your quitclaim deed. Then, you'll turn the quitclaim in at your city hall so it can officially be recorded.

[LeftyMedic]

Attention newlywed members: If you're in a situation where you are recently married or you've been married a while or just living together in a house, and only one of you are currently listed on the deed/lease, you can apply for a quitclaim deed either through a lawyer or you can print up a PDF copy from the internet.

Here's the deal: Typically, if you are in the aforementioned predicament, the only way to have a name added to the deed from the mortgage lender is to refinance the house. With a quitclaim deed, you can simply have your spouse release the property to both you and your spouse. Why is this necessary? If you're shipping off soon and own a home, you will most likely need to set up a quitclaim deed so you can collect your BAH.

It works basically like this:

The Grantor: Christopher Lee for the consideration of: one dollar ($1.00) conveys and quit claims to the Grantee: Christopher Lee and Jennifer Lee in the county of: Shawshank, state of Iowa blah, blah, blah, hereto and forthwith.

I would suggest just printing one off of the internet. Doesn't make sense to pay a lawyer for what you can easily do yourself. Also, you will need to find a notary to sign off and stamp your quitclaim deed. Then, you'll turn the quitclaim in at your city hall so it can officially be recorded.

You do not need a lease or deed if you are married to get BAH. The BAH a married person, or some one with dependents, gets is different than the BAH a single individual gets. To receive BAH you have to show proof of your dependents. Marriage license, kids birth certificates and social security cards etc.

This was already explained in this thread

If you have dependents you dont need documentation for BAH. If single then you must provide lease or mortgage.

Now if you are not married or don't have kids, and playing house with your boyfriend or girlfriend than you would have issues if not on the mortgage or lease. Also only a fool would put some ones name on their deed if they are not married. When you put some one on a deed you give them part ownership to the home. What if you break up? There is no marriage so you are screwed. The simplest thing to do is to get married. Cause if you were going to give some one 50% of your home you would also want to marry that person right?

[VICEROY06]

You do not need a lease or deed if you are married to get BAH. The BAH a married person, or some one with dependents, gets is different than the BAH a single individual gets. To receive BAH you have to show proof of your dependents. Marriage license, kids birth certificates and social security cards etc.

This was already explained in this thread

The wording in my original message is incorrect, and I sincerely apologize to my fellow members and visitors for that error. If recently married, have been married for a while but you've been living in a house together with one person on the deed, having a quitclaim deed is something good to have. I'm recently married myself, so I would not encourage anyone who is single to do anything with someone who you aren't married to, which involves your finances and/or property. Furthermore, at least have a utility bill in yours and her/his name. Why? Because regardless of what anyone says, whether it's military or civilian, it's better to have it and not need it. I got several different stories from three different people (yes, get a quitclaim deed/you automatically get BAH if you're married etc.), so deductive logic prevailed.

[Chief Kemosabe]

If it was not stated already; ensure that your dependents are enrolled in deers and remember that all SMs are entitled to JAG services. Also, remember www.militaryonesource.com for your military resources.

[HR NCO]

The wording in my original message is incorrect, and I sincerely apologize to my fellow members and visitors for that error. If recently married, have been married for a while but you've been living in a house together with one person on the deed, having a quitclaim deed is something good to have. I'm recently married myself, so I would not encourage anyone who is single to do anything with someone who you aren't married to, which involves your finances and/or property. Furthermore, at least have a utility bill in yours and her/his name. Why? Because regardless of what anyone says, whether it's military or civilian, it's better to have it and not need it. I got several different stories from three different people (yes, get a quitclaim deed/you automatically get BAH if you're married etc.), so deductive logic prevailed.

I deal with hundreds of soldiers every year and have never heard of any married soldier needing a quitclaim deed.

If you have a marriage license, you get BAH...you dont need anything more.

[Chief Kemosabe]

I have been with my spouse for a very long while and we owned a home together and I never did this.

Here is the info..

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quitclaim_deed

[LeftyMedic]

The wording in my original message is incorrect, and I sincerely apologize to my fellow members and visitors for that error. If recently married, have been married for a while but you've been living in a house together with one person on the deed, having a quitclaim deed is something good to have. I'm recently married myself, so I would not encourage anyone who is single to do anything with someone who you aren't married to, which involves your finances and/or property. Furthermore, at least have a utility bill in yours and her/his name. Why? Because regardless of what anyone says, whether it's military or civilian, it's better to have it and not need it. I got several different stories from three different people (yes, get a quitclaim deed/you automatically get BAH if you're married etc.), so deductive logic prevailed.

You have been misinformed. This should have been explained to you by your NCO's at RSP. I have been to 3 RSP drills and this has been explained to us each time as well as requests for us to bring in any needed documents.

I deal with hundreds of soldiers every year and have never heard of any married soldier needing a quitclaim deed.

If you have a marriage license, you get BAH...you dont need anything more.

And here it is explained one more time for any one confused. Thank you SSG RSP NCO.

Only people who need to worry about a lease or copy of the mortgage are single soldiers with no dependents. If any one is still confused about what they need to do to get BAH please contact your RSP NCO's. They will be glad to help you and is part of what they are there for.

[SteveLord]

I never heard of that either. And I had like 80 drills (which included like 10 of RSP classification) under my belt in my day and watched Tears of the Sun last week.

[VICEROY06]

After my experience of having to go to MEPS four times over paperwork issues (over 100 miles one way) I'm going to have paperwork to back-up my paperwork from day zero until I retire. I'm creating a file just for check stubs--a file for every stinkin' sheet. He ll--I'll probably even have a set of viles to store every drop of blood, sweat and tears I expend while on duty.

[Killjoysux]

Does the lease agreement need to be notarized or will they accept just a signed copy?
Thanks

[HR NCO]

Does the lease agreement need to be notarized or will they accept just a signed copy?
Thanks

It's best if it is notarized, however, technically for it to be notarized you would have to have your landlord there with you and that isn't always something you're able to do. Bring with you if you can a copy of a utility bill from where you live if you can.

[BryanIL]

It's best if it is notarized, however, technically for it to be notarized you would have to have your landlord there with you and that isn't always something you're able to do. Bring with you if you can a copy of a utility bill from where you live if you can.

RSP NCO,

Is a utility bill mandatory? The electric bill is currently in my roommate's name and I'm not sure if he even has any copies of them. My last drill before basic is coming up in two weeks and I'm trying to get myself squared away before then. Thank you.

[HR NCO]

RSP NCO,

Is a utility bill mandatory? The electric bill is currently in my roommate's name and I'm not sure if he even has any copies of them. My last drill before basic is coming up in two weeks and I'm trying to get myself squared away before then. Thank you.

It's not mandatory for that very reason, sometimes they wont be in your name. It's just best to have them with you if they are.