DA 5960 Form Fillable - Start, Stop, or Change BAH Allowance
What is DA 5960?
DA 5960 is the Army’s official form for authorizing Basic Allowance for Housing, commonly known as BAH. BAH is a monthly cash allowance paid to service members who do not live in government quarters. It is designed to help cover the cost of renting or owning private sector housing and is one of the largest non-taxable components of a soldier’s overall compensation package.
The army DA Form 5960 serves three distinct functions. It starts a new BAH entitlement when a soldier first qualifies, it adjusts an existing entitlement when something in the soldier’s life changes, and it terminates the entitlement when the soldier is no longer eligible. Every one of those actions flows through this single form, which is then processed by the servicing Finance and Personnel Office.
The form also functions as a dependency declaration. When a soldier claims BAH at the with-dependents rate, they are legally certifying that their dependents exist, that they are providing adequate financial support to those dependents, and that they understand the consequences of failing to do so. This is not a routine administrative checkbox. It is a legal commitment backed by the courts-martial system.
The governing law is 37 USC 403, which establishes the federal statutory authority for Basic Allowance for Housing. Army Regulation 637-1 provides the Army-specific policy and procedural requirements. The proponent agency responsible for this form is the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1.
Who Uses DA 5960 Form
Any active duty soldier whose BAH status needs to be established, changed, or terminated uses this form. The situations that trigger a submission are specific and important to understand.
The form is submitted to the servicing Finance or Personnel Office for processing. The soldier’s commander must also sign the form in Block 16 to verify the information and authorize the action. Without the commander’s signature the form cannot be processed.
Understanding the Four Types of Action
Block 7 on the DA 5960 form requires the soldier to select one of four action types. Selecting the wrong one causes processing delays and can result in incorrect pay. Here is what each one means.
Start
Used when a soldier is establishing a BAH entitlement for the first time. This includes soldiers who just got married, soldiers who just moved off post, or soldiers who are newly authorized to receive BAH due to a change in their dependency status. A start action creates a new entitlement in the pay system.
Change
Used when something in the soldier’s situation changes but the entitlement itself continues. Examples include adding or removing a dependent, switching from the without-dependents rate to the with-dependents rate after marriage, or updating the BAH type after moving. A change action modifies the existing entitlement rather than ending and restarting it.
Stop
Used when the soldier is no longer entitled to BAH. This occurs when moving into government quarters, when all dependents have been removed and the soldier no longer qualifies, or in other situations where the entitlement ends entirely. Failing to submit a stop action when required results in overpayments that the Army will recoup from the soldier’s pay.
Recertify
Used when the Army requires the soldier to reconfirm their BAH entitlement and dependency status without any change to the underlying information. Recertification is a periodic verification process. The soldier is confirming that everything on their current BAH authorization is still accurate and that their dependency status has not changed.
BAH With Dependents, Without Dependents, and Differential
Block 8 on the DA Form 5960 template asks for the BAH type. There are three options, and each one applies to a specific set of circumstances. Selecting the correct type is critical because it determines the payment rate the soldier receives.
|
BAH Type |
Who It Applies To |
Rate Level |
|
With Dependents |
Soldiers who have at least one qualifying dependent — a spouse, child, or other recognized dependent — and who are living in private sector housing. This is the higher of the two standard BAH rates and is intended to cover housing costs for the soldier and their family. |
Higher rate |
|
Without Dependents |
Soldiers who have no qualifying dependents and who are authorized to live off post. Also applies to soldiers whose spouse is also a service member and who are each receiving BAH separately without dependent children involved. This rate reflects the cost of housing for a single individual. |
Standard rate |
|
Differential (BAH-DIFF) |
Soldiers who have dependents but who live in government quarters. Because the government is providing their own housing, they do not receive the full BAH rate. Instead, they receive a reduced differential amount intended to help them meet their legal obligation to financially support their dependents who live elsewhere. |
Reduced rate |
The BAH rate itself is determined by the soldier’s pay grade and the zip code of their duty location, not where they actually live. A soldier stationed in a high-cost area receives a higher BAH rate than one stationed in a lower-cost location, regardless of where they choose to live off post.
Marital Status and Its Impact on BAH
Block 9 asks for marital status. This is not just administrative data. The marital status selected directly determines what BAH type is available and what documentation may be required to support the claim. Each status carries specific implications for the form and for the entitlement.
Single
The soldier has no spouse. BAH is limited to the without-dependents rate unless the soldier has qualifying children or other dependents. Single soldiers with no dependents at all are not entitled to BAH unless they live off post in an authorized situation.
Married
The soldier has a current legal spouse. Qualifies for the with-dependents BAH rate. Information about the spouse is required in Blocks 10 through 11, including whether the spouse has prior military service. Dual-military couples have specific rules that affect how BAH is calculated for each service member.
Divorced
The marriage has ended by legal divorce. The soldier is treated as single unless they have qualifying dependents such as children from the marriage for whom they are the custodial or support-paying parent. The divorce decree may affect what BAH type is authorized depending on the custody and support terms.
Legally Separated
The soldier and spouse have a formal legal separation recognized by a court. This is distinct from simply living apart informally. A legal separation agreement that does not specify a support amount or that absolves the soldier of support responsibility does not by itself affect the housing allowance, as stated explicitly in the form’s certification section.
Spouse, Children, and Secondary Dependents
The Army DA 5960 form collects specific information about dependents in multiple blocks. Understanding what qualifies as a dependent for BAH purposes is important because claiming a non-qualifying person as a dependent is a false statement under the form’s legal warning.
Spouse Information (Blocks 10 and 11)
The spouse’s full name and physical address are required. Block 11 also asks whether the spouse has served in any branch of the uniformed services. If the answer is yes, four additional sub-blocks must be completed: the spouse’s DoD ID number, their branch of service, the date they last entered service, and the date they last separated. This information is used to determine whether dual-military BAH rules apply and prevents double-counting of entitlements.
Other Dependent Information (Block 12)
Children and secondary dependents are listed in Block 12. For each dependent the form requires their name, physical address, relationship to the soldier, date of birth, and custody information. The custody section distinguishes between physical custody (where the child actually lives) and legal custody (who holds parental rights). This distinction matters for determining which parent receives the with-dependents BAH rate when parents are separated or divorced.
If there are more dependents than the form has space for, additional copies of the form are used for the overflow. All dependents must be listed. Omitting a dependent when it would affect the BAH type or rate is an inaccuracy in the official record.
Life Events That Require a New DA Form 5960 Download
One of the most costly mistakes soldiers make with BAH is failing to update the form when their personal situation changes. The Army does not automatically adjust BAH when life events occur. The soldier is responsible for notifying the Finance and Personnel Office and submitting an updated form. The certification at the bottom of the form states this obligation explicitly.
Marriage
Submit a Change or Start action immediately. Getting married qualifies the soldier for the with-dependents rate, which is significantly higher. Delaying the submission means leaving money on the table since BAH adjustments are generally effective from the date of the life event, not the date of submission.
Divorce or Legal Separation
Submit a Change or Stop action as soon as the legal action is finalized. If the soldier has no remaining dependents after the divorce, the entitlement must drop to the without-dependents rate or stop entirely. Continuing to receive the with-dependents rate after a divorce with no qualifying children is an overpayment that will be recouped.
Birth or Adoption of a Child
Submit a Change action to add the child as a dependent. If the soldier was previously receiving BAH without dependents, this may trigger a rate increase. The child’s date of birth and custody information must be included in Block 12.
Change in Custody Arrangement
If custody of a child changes — whether gained or lost — the form must be updated. The BAH entitlement is tied to actual custodial and support status, not to what was true at the time of the last submission. Court orders changing custody require an immediate update.
Death of a Dependent
Submit a Change or Stop action. If the deceased was the only qualifying dependent, the entitlement must be adjusted. Continuing to receive BAH on behalf of a deceased dependent is an overpayment regardless of whether the error was intentional.
Moving Into or Out of Government Quarters
Moving into government housing requires a Stop or Change to BAH-Differential action. Moving out of government housing may trigger a Start action. Both transitions must be reported promptly because the effective date of the change typically ties to the physical move date, not the paperwork date.
Spouse Begins or Ends Military Service
Dual-military situations have specific BAH rules. If a spouse begins military service, the soldier’s entitlement may change. If the spouse separates from service, the entitlement may change again. Block 11’s questions about the spouse’s military service history exist specifically to capture these situations.
How to Complete DA Form 5960
Complete Block 1 through 5 — Personal and Location Data
Enter your name in Last, First, Middle Initial format. Your DoD ID number is your 10-digit identification number found on your Common Access Card. Enter your current grade, your physical home address, and your duty location including the unit name and the city, state, and zip code of where you are stationed.
Block 6 — Effective Date
Enter the date the action should take effect. For a marriage this is the date of marriage. For a move it is the date you moved. For a birth it is the child’s date of birth. The effective date controls when the pay adjustment begins and should reflect the actual date of the qualifying event, not the date you are filling out the form.
Block 7 — Select the Type of Action
Check only one box: Start, Change, Stop, or Recertify. Refer to the Types of Action section above if you are unsure which one applies. If you check the wrong type the Finance office will need to correct it before processing, which delays your pay adjustment.
Block 8 — Select BAH Type
Check one box: With Dependents, Without Dependents, or Differential. Base this on your actual dependency status and living situation as described in the BAH Types section above. If you are unsure, ask your unit S1 or the Finance office before submitting.
Block 9 — Marital Status
Check the box that accurately reflects your current legal marital status. Do not select Married if you are legally separated. Do not select Single if you are legally married but living apart from your spouse. The legal status controls which box applies, not the living arrangement.
Blocks 10 and 11 — Spouse Information
If married, enter your spouse’s full name and current physical address. Answer the question about prior military service honestly and completely. If your spouse has served, complete all four sub-blocks including their DoD ID number, branch of service, and the dates they entered and separated from service.
Block 12 — Other Dependents
List every qualifying dependent other than a spouse. For each one provide their full name, physical address, relationship to you, date of birth, and check the appropriate physical and legal custody boxes. If you have more dependents than the form has rows for, use additional copies and attach them to the original.
Block 13 — Read Each Certification Statement and Initial
Read every certification statement carefully. Each one requires a separate initial. Do not initial statements you have not read. These are legal commitments and each one has specific implications for your pay and your obligations to your dependents as described in detail in the certification section above.
Block 14 and 15 — Member Signature and Date
Sign the form in Block 14 and enter the date in Block 15. Your signature certifies that all information is correct and that you will immediately notify the Finance and Personnel Office of any future changes. Do not sign until you have completed and reviewed every other section.
Block 16 and 17 — Commander Signature
Take the completed form to your commander for signature in Block 16 with the date in Block 17. The commander’s signature verifies the information and authorizes the BAH action. Without it, the Finance office will not process the form. After the commander signs, submit the form to the servicing Finance or Personnel Office promptly.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is DA 5960 used for?
It is used to start, change, stop, or recertify a soldier’s Basic Allowance for Housing entitlement and to declare qualifying dependents for pay purposes.
When do I need to submit a new DA 5960?
Any time your dependency status changes. Marriage, divorce, legal separation, birth or adoption, a change in custody, a dependent moving out, or moving between government and private quarters all require a new submission.
What happens if I do not report a change?
The Army will recoup any overpayment from your pay. If the failure was intentional, the legal warning on the form states the penalty is up to $10,000 or 5 years imprisonment, or both.
Does my spouse’s military service affect my BAH?
Yes. Dual-military rules affect how BAH is calculated for both spouses. The form asks about your spouse’s military history specifically for this reason.
Is the army DA Form 5960 free to download?
Yes. It is a public domain government document available through the Army Publishing Directorate at no cost with no account needed.
What does the commander’s signature do?
It verifies your information and authorizes the BAH action. The Finance office will not process the form without it in Block 16.
Can I submit the form without any dependents?
Yes. Soldiers living off post without dependents still use DA 5960 form to authorize BAH without dependents. The marital status and BAH type sections reflect the correct situation for a single soldier with no dependents.