DA Form 5960: BAH Authorization & Dependency Declaration (2026)

DA Form 5960: BAH Authorization & Dependency Declaration (2026) – The DA Form 5960, officially titled Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Authorization and Dependency Declaration, is a critical U.S. Army document used to start, adjust, stop, or recertify a Soldier’s entitlement to Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH). It verifies dependency status and ensures accurate housing payments based on rank, duty location, and family circumstances.

This form remains essential for active duty Army personnel (and in some cases National Guard or Reserves) to receive the correct BAH rate. For the latest version (January 2022), download the official fillable PDF directly from the Army Publishing Directorate:
Download DA Form 5960 PDF.

What Is Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH)?

BAH is a non-taxable monthly allowance that helps uniformed service members cover housing costs in the civilian market when government quarters are not provided. Rates are based on:

  • Pay grade (rank)
  • Duty station location (ZIP code)
  • Dependency status (with or without dependents)

BAH rates are reviewed annually and typically increase to reflect local housing market changes. For 2026, rates increased by an average of 4.2% nationwide, effective January 1, 2026, with an estimated $29.9 billion paid to about one million service members.

Use the official DoD BAH Calculator to check your specific rate by ZIP code, rank, and dependent status.

Note: BAH differs from Basic Allowance for Quarters (BAQ) or Variable Housing Allowance (VHA) used in older systems; the current form primarily supports BAH processes under AR 637-1.

Who Needs to Submit DA Form 5960?

You should complete or update DA Form 5960 in these situations:

  • Initial BAH entitlement (e.g., upon marriage, birth of a child, or arrival at a new duty station)
  • Changes in dependency status (marriage, divorce, separation, birth/adoption, loss of dependent)
  • Change in housing situation (moving on-base/off-base, barracks to off-base)
  • Annual recertification (required for many Soldiers to maintain “with dependents” rate)
  • Stopping or adjusting BAH (e.g., moving into government housing)

Recertification is now often handled digitally via IPPS-A (Integrated Personnel and Pay System-Army) under the Pay-Absence-Incentive-Deduction (PAID) tile, with commander certification. Legacy paper DA Form 5960 is still used for certain changes or initial actions.

Failure to recertify or provide supporting documents can result in suspension of BAH at the with-dependents rate and potential repayment issues.

Key Sections of DA Form 5960

The form (JAN 2022) collects:

  1. Soldier Information — Name, DOD ID, Grade/Rank, Physical Address, Duty Location.
  2. Action Requested — Start, Change, Stop, or Recertify BAH; effective date.
  3. Dependency Declaration — Marital status, spouse details (name, SSN/DOD ID, address, branch of service if applicable), children and other dependents.
  4. Housing Information — Type of quarters, expenses, lease/mortgage details if applicable.
  5. Certification & Signatures — Soldier’s certification of support for dependents and commander/approving official signature.

Supporting Documents often required: Marriage certificate, birth certificates, divorce decree, custody papers, lease agreement, etc.

How to Fill Out and Submit DA Form 5960? (Step-by-Step)

  1. Obtain the Form — Use the official link above or access via your unit S1/HR or IPPS-A.
  2. Gather Documents — Proof of dependency and housing.
  3. Complete Accurately — Provide truthful information. False claims can lead to courts-martial, fines, or imprisonment.
  4. Get Commander Certification — Required for most submissions.
  5. Submit:
    • Digitally via IPPS-A for recertification.
    • Through your S1/Finance or local Military Pay Office for changes.
    • Documents are often uploaded to iPERMS.

For detailed walkthroughs, refer to your unit’s IPPS-A job aids for Initial Certification or Recertification, or consult official training resources.

Important Tips for U.S. Army Soldiers

  • Annual Requirement — Recertify BAH as directed (often annually) to avoid pay disruptions.
  • Dual Military Couples — Special rules apply for spouse in uniform; provide their details.
  • Secondary Dependents — Parents or others may qualify if you provide over 50% support.
  • PCS Moves — BAH adjusts automatically with orders, but update dependency if needed.
  • Taxes — BAH is non-taxable, increasing its value.
  • Contact Help — Reach out to your S1, Army Military Pay Office (AMPO), or DFAS for questions.

Stay Compliant and Maximize Your Benefits

Proper use of DA Form 5960 ensures you receive the full BAH entitlement you and your family deserve. Always use official sources and verify information with your chain of command or finance personnel, as policies can have unit-specific implementations.

Official Download:
DA Form 5960 – Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Authorization and Dependency Declaration

For BAH rates and more: Visit the Defense Travel Management Office BAH page.