How Does My Husband’s Deployment Affect My Post 9/11 GI Bill Housing Allowance?
Q: Hello, My husband transferred his Post 9-11 GI Bill over to me (his spouse) last year. I’m finally going back to school this coming semester, while my husband is deployed with the Air Guard. How does his deployment affect my BAH benefits with the Bill? I’ve heard that active duty military service members do not receive BAH benefits, but if he will only be deployed for one month into my school semester, does that mean that I will not receive any living allowance for the whole semester? Thank you very much for any information!
A: It is true; active duty military servicemember spouses do not receive Post 9/11 GI Bill housing allowance (not BAH, as that is entirely different and you will see what I mean in a minute) because their military spouse is drawing BAH for them. To get both would be double-dipping.
However, because the VA operates on a day-by-day basis, the only housing allowance you would not receive would be for the month in the semester that he is deployed (because he is most likely drawing BAH for you during his deployment).
Once he is back and off deployment orders, make sure to send in a copy of his orders showing his active duty release date. Otherwise it can take awhile for the system to update and capture the change. Once the VA sees that he is no longer drawing BAH on you, then they can start sending you the housing allowance.
Keep in mind that you would get your tuition paid for directly to your school and you would get the book stipend even while your husband is deployed. For a full-time student, that runs about $500 per semester. But there is a $1,000 per year cap on it so you would have enough for two semesters per year of school.
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