Basic Needs Allowance for military families.
Active members of the military, and their families, will get financial help from The Basic Needs Allowance (BNA). The government assistance program will help service members, as well as their families, pay their bills with additional cash paid out monthly. BNA is aimed at providing additional money to members of their miliary, their spouses and kids. Learn more on the Basic Needs Allowance program.
Low-income families, miliary families that live paycheck to paycheck and struggling service members will get free grants, hardship funds and more from the BNA. The Basic Needs Allowance was designed to provide a safety net, ensuring that our service members can focus on their duties without worrying about their families' financial well-being.
The money can pay for any bills that is needed help with, whether housing (rent, mortgage, utilities), food or clothes, day care, car payments and more. It will help service members and their spouses make ends meet each month. The allowance is available to service members with dependents and a gross household income of less than 130% of federal poverty guidelines, based on family size.
Financial help for bills from BNA
Military compensation generally equals or exceeds wages paid in the private sector for comparable jobs. However, many military families, or single members, face financial challenges similar to those encountered by civilians. They may need a little extra money each month, and money from BNA can pay for food, gas, daycare, and other necessities.
A major reason for the assistance is that it is often challenging for military spouses or other family members to get, or hold, a well paying job. Household income for military families is often limited to the earnings of the service member. Non-military spouses often encounter difficulties finding or maintaining employment, given the frequency of family relocation or the need to provide full-time care for young children.
The BNA has been most advantageous to service members with larger families who are stationed in higher-cost locations. The funds may help service members in high priced cities pay for everything from rent or a mortgage to car repairs, clothes, or day care and more. Or look here for additional free government grants.
Basic Needs Assistance is aimed at improving the financial security of military families. It's an essential lifeline for those who may be struggling to cover the costs of essentials such as housing, food, utilities, and more.
Basic Needs Allowance qualifications
Determining who qualifies for the BNA is fairly straightforward, but the focus is on lower income service members. As noted, the funds will help families pay for any expenses they may need assistance with, whether it is housing, transportation, medical needs, utilities or even just food. Military members, or their families, that meet the following qualifications can benefit from BNA funds.
- The allowance is available to active-duty service members with dependents, including members of the National Guard and Reserves.
- It will help members of the Navy, Marines, Air Force and Army – all branches are qualified.
- Financial help from BNA is also for dependents must be listed in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).
- The allowance is also not available to persons being trained at service academies.
As noted, it is for people with an income less than 130% of poverty levels. Gross household income includes basic pay, housing, and subsistence allowances, investment income, funds received from government assistance programs, as well as spousal and child-support payments received by household members, including non-military spouses. Income that is calculated for BNA does not include travel and transportation allowances or related benefits.
Household income received by dependents who are not required to file federal income tax returns is not considered, so this means a family member not filing taxes will not be part of the BNA cut off. Proof of income may include income tax returns, W-2 and 1099 forms, civilian pay stubs, government benefit notifications, and other documentation.
If two or more members of a household qualify for the Basic Needs Allowance, only one person will receive the monthly allowance. If an eligible service member gets promoted and receives a pay increase resulting in income above 130% of the poverty level, that person no longer qualifies for the additional financial help that is part of the allowance.
The BNA amount given to a service member or their families varies based on income, household size, and duty location. If household income falls below 130% of the poverty level for the locale where the service member is stationed, the allowance will equal the amount needed to bring household income up to that level.
However, unlike the housing and subsistence allowances, which are not taxed, the government assistance from the Basic Needs Allowance is taxable income. The allowance received by the service member will be reduced by the amount necessary to pay federal income taxes.
The increased income resulting from the allowance may impact a person's eligibility for government programs such as the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), the Family Supplemental Assistance Allowance, TANF and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). However, even if eligible, service members are not required to accept the BNA. Service members should consult with installation financial counselors to determine the effect that receiving a BNA might have on other benefits.
How to apply for the Military Basic Needs Allowance
Each military branch has been screening troops and advising them on whether they may qualify for the BNA. Receipt of the allowance is not automatic. Service members must apply and provide the required paperwork. The applications procedures vary by service.
The first step is to contact the chain of command or base financial office. They will guide applicants through the application process, which includes providing proof of income and detailing monthly expenses. It's a good idea to have all relevant financial documents on hand, such as pay stubs, rent or mortgage statements, and utility bills. Or dial 833-200-0035 for the Office of Financial Readiness.
The government will process the Basic Needs Allowance for emergencies as well, and disburse the money ASAP. This will help a service member, or their family, that is in a financial crisis. Applications for a BNA must be processed within 30 days of receipt, and payment of the allowance begins when the specific service approves an application. The allowance will not be paid retroactively.
Service members receiving the Basic Needs allowance must reapply each year. As the financial help from the government is time limited. Recertification is also required when there is a change in household size, an increase in gross income, or a move to or from Alaska or Hawaii.
Conclusion of BNA - A life for service members
In conclusion, the Basic Needs Allowance serves as a crucial support system for military service members, their families and loved one who may be experiencing financial difficulties, often due to mostly unique challenges faced by members of the military.
It's a testament to the government, and the DOD’s, commitment to take care of its own, ensuring that those who protect and serve our country are themselves protected from financial hardships. Remember, the goal of the BNA and similar programs is to ensure that service members can focus on their vital work without worrying about the well-being of their families at home.
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