Child Support from Active Duty Military

[tlsanders]

My ex-husband has been in the military for eighteen years and receives about $900 a month for BAQ (Basic Allowance Quarters). I was under the impression that this money was for the dependents. He has informed me that I am incorrect. Does anyone know who is right and is anyone aware of a website that may contain information surrounding this topic. Thanks.

 

[Ginger]

My brother is in Active Navy and he is remarried, has 2 children from previous marriage. He receives baq for his current wife and child, that is for outside housing. So you are correct in your assuption. I will try to find out more for you and post it later, there are some things you can do where the military is concerned. I'll be back.

 

[LegalBeagle]

BAQ has been replaced with BAH.. but the following gives a good explaination of what can be paid and why...


Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) With-Dependents Effective January 1, 1998, housing allowances paid to members of the uniformed services underwent major changes. BAH, which is a combination of the old with-dependent Basic Allowance for Quarters and Variable Housing Allowance will be paid to member s whose dependents reside off-base within the United States, including Alaska and Hawaii. BAH rates are based upon grade, location, and dependency status. The requirement to provide military pay with proof of housing expenses and sharer status has been discontinued. As always, your continued entitlement to BAH depends on the amount of support you provide to your dependents. Questions concerning the amount of adequate support may be addressed to your local financial services office. Finally, if any of your dependents reside in family-type government quarters, you will not be entitled to BAH.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Without Dependents Effective January 1, 1998, E-4 over 4 years who received partial BAH (partial BAQ) prior to reassignment will receive BAH at the rate for their previous base for the duration of the PCS period. As before, payment of without dependent BAH at Kunsan is contingent upon your approval to reside off-base. If approved, your BAH entitlement will equal the amount of without dependent rate BAQ.

Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Diff For single military members assigned to on-base bachelor (dormitory) or off-base quarters with an obligation to pay child support, you should already be receiving BAH-Diff, previously known as BAQ-Diff . With the exception of a drastic reduction to your support amount, you will continue to receive this allowance regardless of where you reside. The amount payable is the difference between the with-dependent and without-dependent BAQ portion of BAH. The requirement to pay child support must be documented on a court order, or a statement signed by both you and the custodian of the child.

 

[ALilLady]

Military BAQ

As a veteran of the Navy, I think I can answer your question!

The Navy will only allow an individual BAQ when the member has dependents (or will have dependents, in the case of a pregnant member. The individual will draw partial BAQ until the baby is born) or partial BAQ for an unmarried individual when on-base housing/barracks is scarce. You cannot get BAQ any other way. The dependents must be listed on their Page 2, which is part of their military record. This Page 2 also lists other information, such as beneficiaries to life insurance. The dependents don't even have to live with him to draw the BAQ (as far as I can recall), just so long as they are listed on that Page 2.

Now keep in mind that this BAQ allows the member to SUPPORT his dependents and is not strictly FOR the dependents, so in a sense your ex-husband is right. But the main point is, he could not draw the full allowance WITHOUT having dependents. The amount the member draws on BAQ depends on his rank (e.g. E-1, E-2) and remains the same regardless of where he is stationed. VHA (Variable Housing Allowance) is the only one that varies from state to state because it reflects the cost of living in that area.

Being I have been out the the Navy for a while, I'm not sure if there is any website that could explain this. My suggestion is to call your ex-husband's PSD (Personnel Support Detachment) who handles such matters as pay, allowances, etc. and ask them any questions you may have. If your ex-husband is on a ship or boat (carrier or submarine for example), then call the shore command PSD where the ship is docked. While they will not give you information as to whether you or your children are listed on his Page 2, they can still answer general questions.

Hope this helps!

 

[tlsanders]

Thank You

Thank you to everyone who replied, your responses were extremely helpful.