R 071815Z JUL 23
MARADMIN 345/23
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/CHANGE 1 OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE (BNA) FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DODI/1JUL2023//
REF/B/MSGID: MEMO/DEPSECDEF WASHINGTON DC/14APR2023//
REF/C/MSGID: MEMO/ASN WASHINGTON DC/14DEC2022//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/TITLE 37, U.S.C., SECTION 402B/21MAY2023//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/PUBLIC LAW 117-263/23DEC2022//
REF/F/MSGID: DOC/PUBLIC LAW 117-328/23DEC2022//
REF/G/MSGID: DOC/CMC WASHINGTON DC MPO/04JAN2023//
AMPN/REF A IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION (DODI) 1341.15 W/CHANGE 1, BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE (BNA) POLICY. REF B IS THE DEPUTY SECRETARY OF DEFENSE ACTION MEMORANDUM, EXPANDING ELIGIBILITY FOR THE BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE. REF C IS THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS) DIRECTIVE-TYPE MEMORANDUM. REF D IS TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 402B, BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES. REF E IS PUBLIC LAW 117-263, SECTION 611, INCREASE IN MAXIMUM ALLOWABLE INCOME FOR PURPOSES OF ELIGIBILITY FOR BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE. REF F IS PUBLIC LAW 117-328, SECTION 201. REF G IS MARADMIN 002/23 IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES.//
POC/MANPOWER MILITARY POLICY (MPO)/EMAIL: MPO@USMC.MIL/ TEL: (703) 784-9360//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1.  Purpose.  To provide notification of the change in reference (a), effective 1 July 2023, the criteria used to determine eligibility for BNA will change from 130 percent of Federal Poverty Guidelines (FPG) to 150 percent of FPG.  There are no changes in the administrative application process for Marines to apply for BNA.
2.  Background.  The establishment of the basic needs allowance was implemented into law with the enactment of reference (d).  This includes the provisions and specifications of references (e) and (f) that the BNA program provides a monthly allowance for service members who voluntarily apply and whose Gross Household Income (GHI) and household size place them below 150 percent of Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG) for their geographical location.
3.  Definitions
3.a.  FPG.  Annually published income measure issued by Health and Human Services (HHS) for a specific number of household members and a geographical location.
3.b.  GHI.  Includes all income, i.e., basic pay, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS).  In addition to any income derived from each member of the household from any source, including government food assistance programs.
3.c.  Household.  An active-duty service member and any dependents of the members enrolled in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), regardless of those dependents’ locations.
4.  Action.  Effective immediately, Marines seeking to receive BNA may voluntarily apply by submitting a signed and completed application in accordance with reference (g).
5.  Eligibility.  Active-duty service members with dependents enrolled in DEERS are eligible for BNA and may be certified if:
5.a.  They have completed initial entry training (IET).
5.b.  Their GHI during the calendar year preceding the year of application did not exceed 150 percent of the FPG as published for their location and number of individuals in their household.
6.  BNA Screening.  All Marines will be screened for BNA eligibility.  Marines who are potentially identified as being eligible for BNA at 150 percent will be notified via Marine On-Line (MOL) as well as by their S-1 offices and commanding officers. 
7.  Notification and Eligibility.  Notification and eligibility criteria per reference (g) remains unchanged.
8.  Submitting BNA applications.  The process of applying for BNA is unchanged.  Marines will use MOL, MyEPAR, Create New EPAR Record, Subject:  Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) to submit the BNA application along with supporting documentation.  The BNA application, BNA Eligibility and Allowance Calculator, BNA Page 11 remarks example and other resources are located and available within Subject Forms located with the MOL EPAR.
9.  Coordinating Instructions
9.a.  To ensure accuracy in determining BNA eligibility, Marines and commanders are highly encouraged to utilize the BNA Eligibility and Allowance Calculator tool.
9.b.  Marines in receipt of BNA are responsible for reporting any changes in GHI or family size to their S-1 office.  Marines who are receiving BNA and become ineligible due to their GHI surpassing 150 percent of the previous year FPG based on their household size, will have their BNA terminated no later than 60 days after date of ineligibility. For example, a Marine is promoted and becomes ineligible for BNA due to the pay grade increase, the Marine will continue to receive BNA for 60 days after the date of promotion.
9.c.  Marines in receipt of BNA must annually resubmit an updated signed application along with substantiating documentation via MOL EPAR.
10.  Impact on receipt of BNA.  Marines should be aware that receipt of BNA may impact eligibility for Federal assistance food programs such as subsidized school lunch programs, WIC, and SNAP.
11.  BNA Tools.  To assist commanders and Marines, several BNA tools are available at https:(slash)(slash)www.manpower.usmc.mil/webcenter/portal/MPO/pages_compensation/ and within the MOL EPAR module.  Available tools include, BNA Application Template, BNA Allowance Calculator, BNA Infographics, BNA Monthly Reports template, and page 11 template.
12.  BNA is applicable to all active duty Marines as defined in Section 101 of Title 37, U.S.C.
13.  Point of Contact.  All questions concerning BNA should be directed to the members administration section and local IPAC prior to contacting Manpower Military Policy (MPO).
14.  Release authorized by Lieutenant General James F. Glynn, Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//