BAH After Divorce

Divorce immediately changes BAH to the without-dependents rate — unless you have other qualifying dependents (children in custody, dependent parent). Effective date is the final divorce decree, not filing date.

Children in your custody maintain your with-dependents status. The difference between with and without can be $300–$600/month. Budget for this before the decree is finalized.

If you had shared custody and your ex claims the children as dependents for their BAH, you cannot both claim with-dependents for the same children. Only one parent can receive the with-dependents rate per child.