Several Qs (BAH, Bonus, Basic Pay)

[ec_armywife]

Hey Gals,

Sorry if my post is all over the place but I'm still getting used to this forum stuff LOL. I have a few finance questions so any that you may be able to answer would be much appreciated

1) When exactly does a servicemember receive their sign on bonus? I believe it is the first half after graduation and then the remaining half is distributed in even portions annually for the length of his contract, but I wanted to confirm that this is accurate.

2) I know the pay period is the 1st and 15th of each month, but does the Week 0 (Reception week) of BCT count as a paid? My H leaves before the 1st of next month. How long will it take for him to receive pay? I know this varies. I've heard some horror stories but was hoping someone Army might be able to give me their perspective as well (but i would appreciate an answer from any branch, regardless).

3) How long does it take for BAH to kick in? We are flat broke. I got laid off and don't make enough on unemployment to pay the rent on my own so we are really relying on BAH but I've heard it takes a while...anyone have any idea how long? (Can't use credit cards since they are maxed out)...so yes, flat broke!

4) Is it possible for credit card companies to put a hold on an account (not very familiar with these either)? Basically- do you think we could inform them that pay might be delayed for him and ask that they not charge interest for that month or make a note on his account?

Thank you all so much in advance for any future responses.

[*Pamela*]

Originally Posted by ec_armywife Hey Gals, Sorry if my post is all over the place but I'm still getting used to this forum stuff LOL. I have a few finance questions so any that you may be able to answer would be much appreciated 1) When exactly does a servicemember receive their sign on bonus? I believe it is the first half after graduation and then the remaining half is distributed in even portions annually for the length of his contract, but I wanted to confirm that this is accurate. 2) I know the pay period is the 1st and 15th of each month, but does the Week 0 (Reception week) of BCT count as a paid? My H leaves before the 1st of next month. How long will it take for him to receive pay? I know this varies. I've heard some horror stories but was hoping someone Army might be able to give me their perspective as well (but i would appreciate an answer from any branch, regardless). 3) How long does it take for BAH to kick in? We are flat broke. I got laid off and don't make enough on unemployment to pay the rent on my own so we are really relying on BAH but I've heard it takes a while...anyone have any idea how long? (Can't use credit cards since they are maxed out)...so yes, flat broke! 4) Is it possible for credit card companies to put a hold on an account (not very familiar with these either)? Basically- do you think we could inform them that pay might be delayed for him and ask that they not charge interest for that month or make a note on his account? Thank you all so much in advance for any future responses.

I'm short on time, so hopefully someone else can help you with the other questions, but for #4...call and ask about the Service Members Civil Relief Act. Usually they will have you fax a copy of his orders or enlistment papers. Once it's approved it will lower your interest rates to 6% plus quite a few other things. Quite a few of our cards dropped to 0% and no minimums while DH is active.

ETA...some people may refer to it as the Soldiers and Sailors Civil Relief Act

[sandykay]

#1 I'm not sure cause DH had already done 5 yrs when we met
#2 again not quite sure, but I have heard it may take a few weeks to go through finance
#3 you will not get BAH till you are married and that then usually takes a few weeks to kick in as well.
#4 The SMCRA is only for the service member and will not do anything for you, so if you are a joint on the account, you may be responsible to pay. He would have to contact his CC company directly and ask them about their policies

[Southern-momma]

Hey Gals,

Sorry if my post is all over the place but I'm still getting used to this forum stuff LOL. I have a few finance questions so any that you may be able to answer would be much appreciated

1) When exactly does a servicemember receive their sign on bonus? I believe it is the first half after graduation and then the remaining half is distributed in even portions annually for the length of his contract, but I wanted to confirm that this is accurate.

Yes, but the last year (as in the year they would either get out or reenlist) there is no payment so the second half is split between the other years.

2) I know the pay period is the 1st and 15th of each month, but does the Week 0 (Reception week) of BCT count as a paid? My H leaves before the 1st of next month. How long will it take for him to receive pay? I know this varies. I've heard some horror stories but was hoping someone Army might be able to give me their perspective as well (but i would appreciate an answer from any branch, regardless).

I am not army (AF wife) but my friend just went through this and it was the second or third payday after her DH joined before they actually got paid.

3) How long does it take for BAH to kick in? We are flat broke. I got laid off and don't make enough on unemployment to pay the rent on my own so we are really relying on BAH but I've heard it takes a while...anyone have any idea how long? (Can't use credit cards since they are maxed out)...so yes, flat broke!

Sorry do not count on the BAH to show up until the rest of the pay does. Dor your instance it should start when his pay starts but who knows if something might get screwed up or not. In general it can show up the next pay after putting the paperwork in or it could take a couple months.

4) Is it possible for credit card companies to put a hold on an account (not very familiar with these either)? Basically- do you think we could inform them that pay might be delayed for him and ask that they not charge interest for that month or make a note on his account?

If you are on the accounts or have a POA you can fax them, it can't hurt to ask.

Good luck

[~KittyKat~]

Originally Posted by ec_armywife Hey Gals, Sorry if my post is all over the place but I'm still getting used to this forum stuff LOL. I have a few finance questions so any that you may be able to answer would be much appreciated 1) When exactly does a servicemember receive their sign on bonus? I believe it is the first half after graduation and then the remaining half is distributed in even portions annually for the length of his contract, but I wanted to confirm that this is accurate. He should receive up to the first $10k minus taxes after he completes basic and AIT and signs into his first unit. If he received over a $10k bonus then he would get the rest in annual installments on his enlistment anniversary date. 2) I know the pay period is the 1st and 15th of each month, but does the Week 0 (Reception week) of BCT count as a paid? My H leaves before the 1st of next month. How long will it take for him to receive pay? I know this varies. I've heard some horror stories but was hoping someone Army might be able to give me their perspective as well (but i would appreciate an answer from any branch, regardless). Yes, Reception week is paid for. My DH left for basic on Jan 8th and he ended up getting his first check on like Feb 6th. It wasn't paid as a normal cycle but he was paid for Jan 8-31st. His next one came Feb 15th as scheduled. 3) How long does it take for BAH to kick in? We are flat broke. I got laid off and don't make enough on unemployment to pay the rent on my own so we are really relying on BAH but I've heard it takes a while...anyone have any idea how long? (Can't use credit cards since they are maxed out)...so yes, flat broke! He should receive BAH on his first check for the prorated amount for how long he has been in. For example, my DH got his for 3 weeks on his first check. You will get BAH for your current location. He will need to have all of the appropriate documents at Reception though to make sure it all is filed properly. 4) Is it possible for credit card companies to put a hold on an account (not very familiar with these either)? Basically- do you think we could inform them that pay might be delayed for him and ask that they not charge interest for that month or make a note on his account? You can send copies of his contract/orders to the creditors and ask them to reduce the interest rates to 6% under the SSCRA, however they are not required to stop payments all together. Thank you all so much in advance for any future responses.

Good luck!

[ec_armywife]

Thank you all for the information! It was very helpful and useful! Could you elaborate on what type of documents he needs to take with him to BCT in order to get the BAH set up?

Also- an additional thought: We were going to have all payment go into our joint bank account, that of which I would withdraw a certain monthly amount and deposit it into his separate bank account (which he would have his ATM card for) while at BCT. Reason for this was because the H tends to overspend so we were going to set up a monthly "allowance" for him while he is gone and that would be all he's able to spend.

I was wondering if someone could make a suggestion as to what that amount should be while at BCT and another amount for AIT. I assume both amounts should be different since he will be allowed to go off post during AIT training.

Hope that made sense. Thank you all again for the information!

[PrOuDaRmYWiFe08]

Well if I cant remember all the forms he took, but I know his recruiter took care of all that. She put it all in a folder for him to take. So maybe talk to his recruiter I know he will need your marriage certificate & Social Security card.


Well in basic he wont need very much at all. Maybe $20/Month. They dont get to DO or BUY anything while there. But to be on the safe side I would leave atleast $20 in there. Now for AIT they can order out if there Sgts are nice and sometimes get passes to go off base to like the mall. SO thats up to you on how much you want him to spend. DH lived of $100/month in AIT

[gunsgirl]

for the forms he will need originals of birth certificates, SS cards and marriage license.
again he will need originals to set up DEERS and to get the BAH started.

Pay is actually paid the 15th and the first- this is important because the PAY and BAH are paid retroactive- NOT in advance-
so if he goes in on the 17th of any month the pay will be from the 17th to 30- then from the 1st to 15th-

for all branches except marines expect pay to kick in 4-8 weeks after he goes,
if he is marines you will not see any pay until after he finishes boot camp.

HTH's