{"id":45887,"date":"2021-09-27T16:38:46","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T16:38:46","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/uncategorized\/2021\/09\/27\/its-final-hard-hit-troops-in-56-areas-can-apply-for-a-temporary-increase-in-their-housing-allowance\/"},"modified":"2026-08-08T08:33:10","modified_gmt":"2026-08-08T08:33:10","slug":"its-final-hard-hit-troops-in-56-areas-can-apply-for-a-temporary-increase-in-their-housing-allowance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/marinecorpstimes\/pay-benefits\/2021\/09\/27\/its-final-hard-hit-troops-in-56-areas-can-apply-for-a-temporary-increase-in-their-housing-allowance\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s final: Hard-hit troops in 56 areas can apply for a temporary increase in their housing allowance"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Service members in 56 areas of the country should watch their email for information on how to apply for a temporary increase in their Basic Allowance for Housing<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The increases range from 10 percent to 20 percent. These increased rates for active-duty troops and full-time National Guard members will take effect Oct. 1 and end Dec. 31. The 2022 BAH rates take effect Jan. 1. The rates are designed to ease the financial burden on service members and their families who have been affected by higher costs of rental housing and a shortage of housing<\/a> in these designated military housing areas. It applies to troops with dependents as well as those without.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2021 BAH TEMPORARY INCREASE \u2014 RATES AND AMOUNT<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The extra money is not automatic. Troops must certify that they are incurring higher costs in moving to new areas or signing new leases. The process for that certification and for applying for the temporary increase varies by branch of service, and will be outlined in the email to service members who may be eligible, according to an announcement by defense officials. Each service will also publish information in administrative messages and other channels.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Coast Guard, for example, has published information about the temporary increases, <\/a>including the form Coast Guard members should use to apply for the extra money.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In those 56 areas<\/a>, \u201cthe large majority of members are expected to be eligible\u201d but the exact percentage is unknown, according to an action memo pending publication by the Defense Department. Assuming the maximum number of certifications, the estimated cost to the services would be about $159 million, officials stated.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In July, Military Times reported on the difficulty troops and families have been facing as they move to new duty stations because of surging housing costs. Some are paying hundreds of dollars more per month for rentals than their housing allowance covers, if they can even find a rental.<\/p>\n\n\n\t