MILITARY LIFE
TAKING CARE OF OUR SERVICE MEMBERS AND FAMILIES
The well-being and readiness of our service members is a top priority for the Defense Department. In September 2022, Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III announced an action plan for additional support.
Changes will make military moves easier, expand opportunities for spouse employment, strengthen support for military families and ensure basic needs are met.
Read the "Taking Care of Our Service Members and Families" memo from Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III at defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3167769/dod-announces-imme- diate-and-long-term-actions-to-help-strengthen-the-economic-s/
FOUR PRIORITIES TO BENEFIT MILITARY FAMILIES, PART 1 : SECURING BASIC NEEDS
Our military families must be secure in their ability to afford the basics. In addition to the 4.6% pay increase for service members included in the president's 2023 budget, the Defense Department will:
AUTOMATICALLY INCREASE BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING IN 28 MILITARY HOUSING AREAS
- WHAT IS IT? We're temporarily increasing BAH rates for service members assigned to military housing areas where average rental housing costs have increased more than 20% over 2022 BAH rates.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Service members assigned to the following military housing areas qualify for the increased BAH: Vandenberg Air Force Base California; Twenty Nine Palms Marine Corps Base California; San Diego, California; Dover Air Force Base / Rehoboth, Delaware; Patrick Air Force Base Florida; Miami / Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Orlando, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Volusia County, Florida; Ft. Myers Beach, Florida; Kings Bay / Brunswick, Georgia; Maui County, Hawaii; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Cape Cod-Plymouth, Massachusetts; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Brunswick, Maine; Coastal Maine; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Helena, Montana; Wilmington, North Carolina; Northern New Jersey; Newport, Rhode Island; Providence, Rhode Island; Beaufort / Parris Island, South Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Quantico / Woodbridge, Virginia.
- HOW TO ACCESS: If you're in an eligible housing area, you will automatically receive a higher BAH payment in your Oct. 15, 2022 paycheck. If you move to an eligible area any time from October-December, you will receive the increase.
- WHAT IS IT? We're temporarily increasing BAH rates for service members assigned to military housing areas where average rental housing costs have increased more than 20% over 2022 BAH rates.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Service members assigned to the following military housing areas qualify for the increased BAH: Vandenberg Air Force Base California; Twenty Nine Palms Marine Corps Base California; San Diego, California; Dover Air Force Base / Rehoboth, Delaware; Patrick Air Force Base Florida; Miami / Fort Lauderdale, Florida; Orlando, Florida; West Palm Beach, Florida; Volusia County, Florida; Ft. Myers Beach, Florida; Kings Bay / Brunswick, Georgia; Maui County, Hawaii; Chicago, Illinois; Boston, Massachusetts; Cape Cod-Plymouth, Massachusetts; Martha's Vineyard, Massachusetts; Brunswick, Maine; Coastal Maine; Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri; Helena, Montana; Wilmington, North Carolina; Northern New Jersey; Newport, Rhode Island; Providence, Rhode Island; Beaufort / Parris Island, South Carolina; Knoxville, Tennessee; Houston, Texas; Quantico / Woodbridge, Virginia.
- HOW TO ACCESS: If you're in an eligible housing area, you will automatically receive a higher BAH payment in your Oct. 15, 2022 paycheck. If you move to an eligible area any time from October-December, you will receive the increase.
Download the Basic Allowance for Housing Fact Sheet at download.militaryonesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/basicallowancehousing- factsheet.pdf
FULLY FUND COMMISSARIES FOR FURTHER SAVINGS
- WHAT IS IT? We're allocating more funds to subsidize commissary prices so military families save at least 25% on their purchases.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All uniformed service members including reserve component and Coast Guard members are eligible.
- HOW TO ACCESS: Shoppers will see commissary prices drop 3-5% over the next month.
Download the Commissary Fact Sheet at download.military- onesource.mil/12038/MOS/Factsheets/commissary-factsheet.pdf
PAY A BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE
- WHAT IS IT? We'll offer a monthly allowance for active duty service members with dependents whose gross household income falls below 130% of federal poverty guidelines. By law, payment of the allowance begins in January 2023.
- WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Active-duty service members with dependents who have completed initial entry training and whose gross household income falls below 130% of federal poverty guidelines for their location.
- HOW TO ACCESS: Service members will have to apply using documents that confirm the income of members of their households, such as a tax return, a W2 or a leave and earnings statement. Military departments and service branches are required to proactively screen service members for eligibility and notify them of their potential eligibility.