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Bill

HR 5208

To amend title 37, United States Code, to exclude the basic allowance for housing from the calculation of gross household income for purposes of the basic needs allowance for eligible members of the Armed Forces.

119th Congress Introduced by Brian Fitzpatrick and 7 co-sponsors

HR 5208 excludes the Basic Allowance for Housing from gross income calculations, boosting financial support for service members eligible for the Basic Needs Allowance.

Introduced in House
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WeVote Research Nonpartisan
Bill Summary · HR 5208

Summary of HR 5208: Exclusion of Basic Allowance for Housing from Gross Household Income

Purpose and Intent

HR 5208 aims to amend Title 37 of the United States Code to exclude the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) from the calculation of gross household income when determining eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) for members of the Armed Forces. The intent of this bill is to provide financial relief to service members by ensuring that their housing allowance does not negatively impact their eligibility for additional support.

Key Provisions

The bill proposes the following changes to existing law:

  1. Amendment to Section 402b(k)(1)(B):
    • The current language that includes the BAH in the calculation of gross household income will be modified.
    • Specifically, the phrase "in the case and all that follows through portion of" will be removed.
    • The provision stating "that the Secretary concerned elects to exclude" will be replaced with "paid to such member."

This change clarifies that the BAH will not be considered when calculating gross household income for the purpose of determining eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance.

Who Would Be Affected

The primary beneficiaries of HR 5208 would be eligible members of the Armed Forces who receive the Basic Needs Allowance. By excluding the Basic Allowance for Housing from income calculations, the bill aims to increase the financial support available to service members who may be struggling to meet their basic needs.

Legislative Process and Timeline

  • Introduced: September 08, 2025
  • Referred to Committee: The bill was referred to the House Committee on Armed Services on the same day it was introduced.

Sponsors

The bill is sponsored by:
- Primary Sponsor: Jimmy Panetta
- Cosponsors:
- Blake D. Moore
- Josh Riley
- Sara Jacobs
- Maggie Goodlander
- Marilyn Strickland

Conclusion

HR 5208 seeks to enhance the financial stability of service members by ensuring that their Basic Allowance for Housing does not adversely affect their eligibility for the Basic Needs Allowance. This legislative change is aimed at improving the overall welfare of military families and providing them with the necessary support to meet their essential living expenses.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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