MARADMIN 369/25 - Update to Eligibility for and Administration of the Basic Needs Allowance (BNA) for Marines

Scope

MARADMIN 369/25 announces updated Marine Corps policy for administering the Basic Needs Allowance based on Change 3 to DoDI 1341.15. The message implements the 200 percent Federal Poverty Guideline threshold effective 12 May 2025 per Public Law 118-159 Section 621 and cancels the prior implementation messages, MARADMIN 673/22 and MARADMIN 345/23. The message text cites the cancelled base message as reference F under the number 002/23, an error in the message itself. The December 2022 implementation message is MARADMIN 673/22.

Audience

Marines with dependents screening for BNA eligibility. S-1s assisting applications and submitting payment authorizations. O-5 commanding officers and SCMCAs holding non-delegable adjudication authority. PACs reporting TTC 694/693. Commanders maintaining monthly BNA records.

Key provisions

• Threshold. 200 percent of the FPG, effective 2025-05-12. The threshold began at 130 percent, rose to 150 percent per MARADMIN 345/23, and sits at 200 percent under this message.
• Eligibility. Active-duty Marines with DEERS-enrolled dependents reported in MCTFS who have completed initial entry-level training. Reserve Marines qualify on active-duty orders of 180 days or more.
• GHI definition. All pays and allowances except BNA itself, regardless of taxability, plus all household member income. Federal food assistance income is excluded.
• Computation. ((2.0 x FPG for the payment year) - (prior calendar year GHI)) / 12, prorated at 1/30th for partial months. No retroactive payments before the certification date.
• Application. Through the MOL EPAR module to the O-5 commanding officer or SCMCA with LES, prior-year tax return, pay stubs, W-2s, and household income documents.
• Notification. Commands notify pre-screened Marines by page 11 within 30 days of the MOL advisory. Marines have 180 days to apply after notification or joining their first PDS.
• Termination. GHI exceeding the limit ends BNA 60 days after the date of ineligibility. Disciplinary pay reductions do not increase BNA. Dual-military couples jointly elect a single recipient.
• Reporting. PACs report TTC 694/693 per the MCTFSPRIUM. Payment occurs within 30 days of the certified application. Commanders submit monthly reports to HQMC MPO and forward page 11s and applications to the OMPF.

Connection to higher policy

• DoDI 1341.15 CH-3. The governing BNA policy this message implements.
• Public Law 117-81 Section 601. Established the BNA, codified at 37 U.S.C. 402b.
• Public Law 118-159 Section 621. Expanded eligibility and raised the threshold to 200 percent.

Connection to Marine Corps policy

• MARADMIN 673/22. The December 2022 Marine Corps implementation at 130 percent, cancelled by this message.
• MARADMIN 345/23. Change 1, raised the threshold to 150 percent in July 2023, cancelled by this message.
• MCTFSPRIUM 8-81201. Reporting instructions for the BNA transaction.
• The MCAAT military pay checklist cites this message for BNA notification, adjudication, computation, reporting, and recertification checks.

Status

Active. Signed 2025-08-11, DTG R 111400Z AUG 25 per the message header, verified against the message text on 2026-07-15. Released by SES Michael R. Strobl, Assistant Deputy Commandant for Manpower and Reserve Affairs. Applicable to the Marine Corps Total Force.