R 111400Z AUG 25
MARADMIN 369/25
MSGID/GENADMIN/CMC WASHINGTON DC MRA MP//
SUBJ/UPDATE TO ELIGIBILITY FOR AND ADMINISTRATION OF THE BASIC NEEDS
ALLOWANCE (BNA) FOR MARINES ON ACTIVE DUTY//
REF/A/MSGID: DOC/DODI/15NOV2022//
REF/B/MSGID: MEMO/ASN WASHINGTON DC/14DEC2022//
REF/C/MSGID: DOC/PUBLIC LAW 117-81/27DEC2021//
REF/D/MSGID: DOC/TITLE 37, U.S.C., SECTION 402B//
REF/E/MSGID: DOC/PUBLIC LAW 118-159/23DEC2024//
REF/F/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MPO/R040830ZJAN23//
REF/G/MSGID: MSG/CMC WASHINGTON DC MPO/R071815ZJUL23//
REF/H/MSGID: DOC/MRA(MIO)/19AUG2008//
AMPN/REF A IS THE DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE INSTRUCTION (DODI 1341.15, CH
3), BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE (BNA) POLICY. REF B IS THE ASSISTANT
SECRETARY OF THE NAVY (MANPOWER AND RESERVE AFFAIRS) DIRECTIVE-TYPE
MEMORANDUM, DELEGATION OF AUTHORITY TO IMPLEMENT BASIC NEEDS
ALLOWANCE. REF C IS PUBLIC LAW 117-81, SECTION 601, BASIC NEEDS
ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES. REF D
IS TITLE 37, UNITED STATES CODE, SECTION 402B, BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE
FOR MEMBERS ON ACTIVE SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES. REF E PUBLIC LAW
118-159, SECTION 621, BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR MEMBERS ON ACTIVE
SERVICE IN THE ARMED FORCES: EXPANSION OF ELIGIBILITY; INCREASE OF
AMOUNT. REF F IS MARADMIN 002/23, IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION
OF THE BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES. REF G IS
MARADMIN 345/23, CHANGE 1 OF THE IMPLEMENTATION AND ADMINISTRATION OF
THE BASIC NEEDS ALLOWANCE (BNA) FOR ACTIVE-DUTY MARINES. REF H IS
THE MARINE CORPS TOTAL FORCE SYSTEM (MCTFS) PERSONNEL REPORTING
INSTRUCTIONS USER MANUAL (PRIUM)//
POC/MANPOWER MILITARY POLICY (MPO)/EMAIL: SMB_HQMC_MPO@USMC.MIL/TEL:
(703) 784-9371//
GENTEXT/REMARKS/1. Purpose. This MARADMIN announces updated Marine
Corps policy for administering of the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA)
based on Change 3 to reference (a) and authorized by reference (b).
2. Background. The Basic Needs Allowance (BNA), established by
reference (c), codified in reference (d), provides a monthly
allowance to eligible Marines whose Gross Household Income (GHI) and
household size places them below a specified percentage of the
Federal Poverty Guideline (FPG). Initially, this threshold was 130
percent of the FPG and has been subsequently increased to 150 percent
and now 200 percent, effective 12 May 2025, per reference (e) and
Change 3 to reference (a). This MARADMIN implements the 200 percent
FPG threshold. BNA will vary by Marine and will only supplement the
Marine’s GHI to reach 200% of the FPG. Application procedures remain
unchanged.
3. Definitions.
a. Federal Poverty Guideline. An annually published income
measure issued by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)
based on household size and a geographical location. For Marines
outside the United States, use the FPG for the contiguous 48 states
and the District of Columbia.
b. Gross Household Income. The sum of the Marine’s military
income (including all pays and allowances except for the BNA,
regardless of taxability), any additional income derived by the
Marine, and all income derived from each member of the household from
any source. GHI does not include income derived from Federal
Government food assistance programs. See the Glossary of reference
(a) for a complete list of income exclusions.
c. Household. A Marine and all Defense Enrollment Eligibility
Reporting System (DEERS) enrolled dependents, regardless of their
location.
4. Action.
a. References (f) and (g) are hereby cancelled.
b. Units/S-1s must recalculate and adjust May 2025 BNA payments
for current recipients based on the prorated FPG thresholds (150% for
1-11 May, 200% for 12-31 May) and submit adjustments to the servicing
Personnel Administration Center (PAC).
c. Units/S-1s must recalculate and adjust June and July BNA
payments for current recipients based on the 200% FPG threshold and
submit adjustments to the PAC.
d. Units/S-1s must re-adjudicate BNA applications deemed
ineligible on or after 12 May 2025 using the 200% FPG threshold,
retaining the original certification date. Newly eligible Marines
electing BNA will receive retroactive payments to the original
certification date, with the first month prorated.
e. Marines may voluntarily apply for BNA by submitting a signed
application in accordance with reference (h).
5. Eligibility. BNA applies to all active-duty Marines, as defined
in Title 37, U.S. Code, Section 101, meeting the following criteria:
a. The Marine is on active duty with dependents who are both
enrolled in DEERS and reported within the MCTFS.
b. The Marine has completed initial entry-level training. New
accessions may apply after joining to their first Permanent Duty
Station (PDS). Any training location with a scheduled period of
instruction (POI) of 20 weeks or more is considered a PDS.
c. In accordance with reference (a), Reserve Component (RC)
Marines must be on active-duty orders for at least 180 days or more
to qualify. The RC duty station location determines FPG, regardless
of order type or length.
d. Initial Screening: The Marine’s GHI for the preceding
calendar year must not exceed 200% of the applicable FPG for the
preceding calendar year. For example, to determine BNA eligibility
beginning in May 2025, the Marine’s 2024 GHI is compared to 200% of
the 2024 FPG. FPG information is available at
https://aspe.hhs.gov/topics/poverty-economic-mobility/poverty-
guidelines.
e. Recertification Screening: Recertification is required upon
certain events (paragraph 15). A Marine receiving BNA becomes
ineligible if their current monthly GHI, projected over a full year,
exceeds 200% of the preceding calendar year’s FPG. For example, to
determine continued BNA eligibility in 2025, the Marine’s total
estimated GHI (current monthly GHI x12) is compared against 200% of
the 2024 FPG.
6. Notification. Within 30 days of receiving the MOL pre-screen
advisory, commands will notify potentially eligible Marines using
NAVMC 118-11 (page 11). An example is available on MOL, Electronic
Personnel Action Request (EPAR) module under Pay, Basic Needs
Allowance (BNA), as well as on the HQMC Manpower and Reserve Affairs,
Military Policy Branch (MPO) website at
https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Plans-and-
Policies/Manpower-Plans-and-Policy/Manpower-Military-Policy-
MPO/Military-Compensation/. Marines have 180 days to apply after
notification or joining their first PDS. Non-application results in
ineligibility until the next annual screening or recertification
event (paragraph 15). Marines should consult their installation
Personal Financial Management Specialists (PFMs) before applying.
PFM information is available at https://usmc-mccs.org/, clicking the
“Military Family Life” icon in the middle of the page, then clicking
the “Personal Financial Management” link in the left-hand menu.
7. Application Process. Marines may apply for the BNA regardless of
prescreening notification. Marines should submit applications and
supporting documentation through the MOL EPAR module (Pay, Basic
Needs Allowance (BNA)) to their O-5 commanding officer or Special
Courts-Martial Convening Authority (SCMCA). S-1s will assist Marines
without MOL EPAR module access.
8. Supporting Documentation. All applications must include: Leave
and Earnings Statement (LES), preceding calendar year’s tax return
(Example: 2024 tax return for application in 2025), civilian pay
stubs, W-2s, and all household members’ income documents.
9. Application Adjudication. The applicant’s O-5 commanding officer
or SCMCA has the authority to adjudicate BNA applications. This
authority cannot be further delegated. The adjudication will result
in one of the following determinations: certified, incomplete, or
ineligible.
10. Notification of Determination. Marines will be notified of the
adjudication determination as follows:
a. Certified: Notification will include the approved monthly BNA
amount and calculation method (paragraph 16.a).
b. Incomplete: Justification for the incomplete determination
will be provided (e.g., insufficient documentation).
c. Ineligible: Justification for the ineligibility determination
will be provided (e.g., GHI exceeds limit).
11. Election. Upon certification, Marines must elect to receive or
decline BNA. The election will be documented in the BNA application.
An example template of the BNA application and adjudication is
available within the MOL EPAR module, Pay, Basic Needs Allowance.
12. Counseling. Marines electing to receive BNA will be counseled
on the following:
a. Report any income increases that, when calculated annually
(monthly income x 12), cause your GHI to exceed 200% of the FPG.
b. BNA may affect eligibility for Federal assistance food
programs (e.g., school lunch, WIC, SNAP).
c. BNA is taxable income.
d. BNA can be discontinued at any time.
13. Special BNA eligibility considerations.
a. Marines whose GHI exceeds the limit will have BNA terminated
within 60 days of ineligibility. 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 effective date of
promotion.
b. Previously ineligible Marines may reapply if family size
increases.
c. Marines receiving BNA are responsible for reporting changes
to GHI or family size to their S-1s.
d. A decrease in GHI because of a fine, forfeiture, or reduction
in rank imposed as a part of disciplinary action will not be used to
increase the amount of BNA for a Marine.
14. Dual military couples. Only one member of a dual-military
couple may receive BNA. The couple must jointly elect the recipient.
15. Recertification Events. Several routine events may require BNA
recalculations and subsequent recertification. Examples of these
routine events include but are not limited to:
a. Promotion;
b. Annual basic pay increases;
c. Basic pay increase due to years of service (YOS);
d. Start, stop, or change in rate of special or incentive pays;
e. Assignment to family type government quarters;
f. Execution of permanent change of station orders;
g. Annual FPG rate changes;
h. Income changes for other members of the household;
i. Changes to cost-of-living allowance (COLA); or
j. Start, stop, or change in rate of bonus payments.
16. BNA Computation. Calculate the monthly BNA amount as follows:
a. ((2.0 x FPG for payment year) - (GHI for prior calendar
year)) / 12. See the application in MOL EPAR and the MPO website at
https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Plans-and-
Policies/Manpower-Plans-and-Policy/Manpower-Military-Policy-
MPO/Military-Compensation/ for an example and calculator.
b. Prorate BNA at 1/30th of the monthly amount for partial
months based on the eligibility date.
c. May 2025 payments will be prorated using 150% FPG for 1-11
May and 200% for 12-31 May.
d. Retroactive payments before the certification date are not
authorized.
e. Units/S-1s will submit BNA payment authorization to the PAC
monthly.
17. PACs or Reporting Unit Instructions. Certifying personnel
officers will report TTC 694/693 per reference (b) to credit BNA.
Payment will occur within 30 calendar days of receiving the certified
application.
18. Leave Earning Statement. BNA will appear as “Basic Needs
Allowance” on the LES.
19. Reconsideration and Appeals.
a. A Marine whose initial BNA application request is incomplete
may re-submit their request with additional supporting documents.
b. Appeals of a disapproved request must be routed via the chain
of command using the AA Form/NAVMC 10274, explaining the basis for
the appeal, to SMB_HQMC_MPO@usmc.mil.
20. Reporting Requirements. Commanders will maintain monthly BNA
records (notifications and adjudication outcomes) and submit reports
to SMB_HQMC_MPO@usmc.mil. A report template is available on the MPO
website. Forward signed page 11s and applications to the OMPF via
SMB.Manpower.MMRP-20@usmc.mil.
21. BNA Tools. Resources are available in MOL EPAR and at
https://www.manpower.marines.mil/Divisions/Plans-and-
Policies/Manpower-Plans-and-Policy/Manpower-Military-Policy-
MPO/Military-Compensation/ including: BNA Application Template, BNA
Allowance Calculator, BNA Infographics, BNA Monthly Reports Template,
and page 11 template.
22. This MARADMIN is applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.
23. Questions. Contact your local administrative section or PAC
with questions prior to contacting MPO.
24. Release authorized by SES Michael R. Strobl, Assistant Deputy
Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs.//