ALCOAST 355/21 - SEP 2021 COVID-19: TEMPORARY BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH) RATE INCREASE

R 291802Z SEP 21
FM COMDT COGARD WASHINGTON DC
TO ALCOAST
BT
UNCLAS
ALCOAST 355/21
SSIC 7220
SUBJ: COVID-19: TEMPORARY BASIC ALLOWANCE FOR HOUSING (BAH) RATE
INCREASE
A. DOD Financial Management Regulation (FMR), Volume 7A, Chapter 26
1. PURPOSE. This ALCOAST announces the establishment of Temporary
BAH rates for 56 United States Military Housing Areas (MHAs),
promulgates Coast Guard policy, and provides implementation process
guidance for eligible Coast Guard active duty personnel. Members
stationed at duty stations within the respective MHAs who have
experienced abnormal housing cost increases may be eligible to
apply for these temporary rates effective from 01 October 2021 to
31 December 2021. No other MHA is eligible for an increase at this
time.
2. GENERAL. In accordance with REF (A), the Secretary of
Defense (SECDEF) may prescribe a temporary increase in BAH rates.
On 13 March 2020 the President declared the ongoing Coronavirus
pandemic of sufficient severity and magnitude to warrant an
emergency declaration for all states, tribes, territories, and the
District of Columbia pursuant to section 501 (b) of the
Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act,
42 U.S.C. 5121-5207 (the "Stafford Act"). State, Territorial,
Tribal, local government entities and certain private non-profit
(PNP) organizations are eligible to apply for Public Assistance.
3. DISCUSSION. The effects of the Coronavirus pandemic on the
housing market in the United States have been noteworthy in many
locations. These temporary BAH rate increases may offset greater
than anticipated out-of-pocket costs for members in an MHA most
affected by the virus; these rates are not intended to replace
the final CY2022 BAH rates that are undergoing the final review
process. As long as a member making application for the temporary
BAH rate can certify that their increased housing costs exceeding
their regular authorized BAH are pandemic related, they may be
entitled to a temporary BAH rate increase. The member's
certification will be made via their completion of and signature
on the application form, which will be submitted with copies of
applicable housing & utility records. A member is authorized an
increased temporary BAH rate even if they were paying more in
housing and utilities costs than their authorized BAH rate prior
to the pandemic. To be eligible, the member must demonstrate with
housing & utility records an increase in housing costs over their
pre-pandemic housing costs. An increased temporary BAH rate will
be authorized from date of cost increase (but not before 1 Oct 2021)
through 31 Dec 2021.
4. PROCEDURES. Members who believe they may be eligible can find the
list of affected MHAs with the temporary BAH rates, the temporary
BAH Rate Increase Process Flow Chart, the Procedure for Temporary
BAH Rate Increase, and the Temporary BAH Rate Increase Application
form at:
(Copy and Paste URL Below into Browser)

https://www.dcms.uscg.mil/Our-Organization/Assistant-Commandant-for
-Human-Resources-CG-1/Director-of-Military-Personnel-CG-13/Military
-Personnel-Policy-CG-133-/Military-Pay-and-Compensation-Division-
CG-1332/

Commands that have certified members' higher housing costs must
submit the Temporary BAH Rate Increase Application to:
HQS-SMB-CGPSC-PSDFS-BAH@uscg.mil. CG PSC-PSD-FS is the reviewing
and approval authority for the Temporary BAH Rates.
5. For general compensation policy questions send an e-mail to
Compensation@uscg.mil.
6. Dr. D. M. Navarro, Deputy Assistant Commandant for Human
Resources (CG-1D), sends.
7. Internet release is authorized.