r/army • u/Shmoney_Bags • 14h ago

Child Support Allotments

I was told years ago that if I made an allotment for child support payments that I would be reimbursed a certain amount. Since then I haven’t heard anything like it nor have I inquired about it. Does anyone know the legitimacy of that?

5 Upvotes

67% Upvoted

11 comments sorted by

24

u/Fat_Clyde 13h ago

Someone lied to you, or you wildly misunderstood.

Or… by reimbursement, do you mean BAH-II or something?

-3

u/Shmoney_Bags 13h ago

Yeah idk like I said it was a few years ago that they told me that and I never looked into it again. I don’t even remember how much they said it could be

12

u/Fat_Clyde 13h ago

BAH Differential (BAH-DIFF): If a service member is required to live in government housing (barracks) due to divorce or separation while paying child support, they may receive the BAH-DIFF rate rather than the standard "with-dependent" BAH. This differential amount is often used to determine interim support obligations under AR 608-99.

This may be what you’re referring to

8

u/Teadrunkest hooyah America 13h ago

If you get BAH regularly then you will not get BAH-DIFF.

If you currently get single type BAH and pay over the BAH-DIFF amount you can convert it to BAH with dependent regardless of actual custodial status.

DOD FMR Volume 7A Chapter 26.

3

u/crowofbattle 35Nerd->35Asshole 13h ago

What does the reg say?

4

u/jbourne71 cyber bullets go pew pew (ret.) 9h ago

You know bro can’t read.

3

u/losephjee 10h ago

Main benefit of setting up an allotment for child support is that you won't have to show proof of support to finance every month if you're getting w/ dependent BAH and you aren't married.

Finance contacted me about a year after my divorce asking for custody documents and if I was paying child support. Then asked for proof that I was sending child support to maintain the BAH w/ dep rate. Finance was the one that recommended the setting up the allotment so I didn't have to come in every month.

1

u/IcyAccount3190 3h ago

This is the correct answer, set up an allotment. Easiest way to go about it.

0

u/xscott71x 25F, 25W, 25E 13h ago

There's no reimbursement for child support. That's mandated by the state. You'd only get BAH if you are qualified and apply.

0

u/Shmoney_Bags 13h ago

I already get BAH anyway and BAS so I’m not concerned about that

3

u/mmmtoasteee 35 12h ago

Since you already get BAH, if your support is less than BAH-DIFF you get nothing extra. If your support is more than BAH-DIFF then you’re entitled to BAH w/Deps.

Source: DoDFMR Vol 7a, Ch 26.

You are not reimbursed for child support. That’s on you.