Family, Spouse & Caregiver Resources

Military spouses face unique employment challenges including frequent relocations, licensing barriers across states, and gaps in work history. Several federal programs exist specifically to help military spouses build portable, sustainable careers.

Spouse Education & Career Opportunities (SECO)

SECO provides free career coaching, education guidance, and employment readiness resources to military spouses of all branches. Services include resume workshops, interview preparation, career assessments, and connections to spouse-friendly employers.

• ✓Free one-on-one career coaching and education counseling
• ✓Resume building, interview preparation, and networking guidance
• ✓Career assessments to identify portable career paths
• ✓Connections to the Military Spouse Employment Partnership (MSEP) with 950+ partner employers

MyCAA Scholarship (Up to $4,000)

My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) provides up to $4,000 in financial assistance for military spouses pursuing licenses, certifications, or associate degrees in portable career fields. Eligible spouses are those married to active duty service members in pay grades E-1 through E-5, W-1 through W-2, and O-1 through O-2.

• ●Maximum $4,000 total with a $2,000 annual fiscal year cap
• ●Covers tuition, fees, books, equipment, and credentialing exams
• ●Must be in a portable career field (healthcare, IT, education, finance, etc.)
• ●School must be accredited and MyCAA-approved

Remote Work & Hiring Programs

• ✓Executive Order on Military Spouse Hiring: Federal agencies have direct-hire authority for military spouses (no competitive process required)
• ✓MSEP Partner Portal: Over 950 companies committed to hiring military spouses, including Amazon, Booz Allen, and USAA
• ✓Hiring Our Heroes Fellowship: 12-week professional fellowship programs for transitioning spouses
• ✓Remote-friendly employers: Many MSEP partners offer telework positions ideal for PCS-frequent families

The VA provides education benefits to dependents and survivors of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled, died in service, or died from service-connected conditions. These programs can cover tuition, fees, books, and provide a monthly living stipend.

DEA / Chapter 35 (Dependents' Educational Assistance)

DEA provides up to 36 months of education and training benefits to eligible dependents of veterans who are permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, or who died while on active duty or as a result of a service-connected condition.

• ✓Up to 36 months of education benefits
• ✓Monthly stipend for full-time, three-quarter, or half-time enrollment
• ✓Covers degree programs, certificate programs, apprenticeships, and on-the-job training
• ✓Eligible dependents: spouses, surviving spouses, and children (ages 18-26)

Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Fry Scholarship

The Fry Scholarship provides Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to children and surviving spouses of service members who died in the line of duty after September 10, 2001. It covers full tuition and fees at public schools (or up to the national maximum at private schools), a monthly housing allowance, and a books and supplies stipend.

• ●100% Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits including tuition, BAH, and book stipend
• ●Children may receive benefits until age 33
• ●Surviving spouses must use benefits within 15 years of the service member's death
• ●Can be combined with DEA but total cannot exceed 81 months

State Tuition Waivers for Dependents

Many states offer partial or full tuition waivers at state colleges and universities for dependents and survivors of disabled or deceased veterans. Eligibility varies by state but typically requires the veteran to have a service-connected disability rating or to have died in service.

• ✓Texas: Hazelwood Act Legacy provision (free tuition at state schools)
• ✓Illinois: Illinois Veteran Grant for dependents (tuition-free at state schools)
• ✓California: College Fee Waiver for dependents of disabled/deceased veterans
• ✓Check your state's department of veterans affairs for specific programs

The VA Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers (PCAFC) provides support to family members who care for veterans with serious injuries or illnesses incurred or aggravated in the line of duty. This program was expanded by the MISSION Act to cover veterans from all eras.

PCAFC Benefits

• ✓Monthly stipend: Based on the veteran's care needs, ranging from roughly $2,000 to $3,200+ per month depending on location and tier
• ✓Health insurance: CHAMPVA coverage if the caregiver is not already eligible for a health plan
• ✓Respite care: Up to 30 days per year of temporary relief so the caregiver can rest or handle personal needs
• ✓Mental health counseling: Individual and group counseling services at no cost
• ✓Training: Core caregiver training including personal care, medication management, and emergency procedures
• ✓Travel reimbursement when accompanying the veteran to VA appointments

How to Apply for PCAFC

1. 1
   Complete VA Form 10-10CG online at VA.gov or download and mail it. Both the veteran and the caregiver must sign the application.
2. 2
   Clinical assessment: VA will evaluate the veteran's need for personal care services and determine the appropriate tier of support.
3. 3
   Complete training: Designated caregivers must complete VA-approved core caregiver training.

Surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of deceased veterans may be eligible for a range of benefits including monthly compensation, pension, education assistance, and burial benefits.

Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

DIC is a tax-free monthly benefit paid to eligible survivors of service members who died on active duty, or veterans whose death resulted from a service-connected injury or disease. Surviving spouses may also qualify if the veteran was rated 100% P&T for at least 10 years prior to death.

• ✓Base rate for surviving spouses (2025): approximately $1,612.74/month
• ✓Additional allowances for dependent children and Aid & Attendance
• ✓Transitional benefit of $326/month for 2 years if you have children
• ✓Dependent parents of deceased service members may receive DIC as well

Survivors Pension

The Survivors Pension is a needs-based monthly benefit for low-income surviving spouses and children of deceased wartime veterans. Unlike DIC, the veteran's death does not need to be service-connected. Income and net worth limits apply.

Additional Survivor Benefits

• ●Burial benefits: VA burial allowance, headstone/marker, Presidential Memorial Certificate, and burial in a VA national cemetery at no cost
• ●SGLI/VGLI: Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (up to $500,000) and Veterans' Group Life Insurance provide death benefits to designated beneficiaries
• ●Education for survivors: Fry Scholarship and DEA (Chapter 35) provide education benefits to surviving spouses and children
• ●Home loan guaranty: Surviving spouses of veterans who died from service-connected causes may be eligible for VA home loans

CHAMPVA is a health benefits program for the spouse or widow(er) and children of a veteran who is rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected condition, or who died from a service-connected disability, or who was rated permanently and totally disabled at the time of death.

Eligibility

• ✓Spouse or child of a veteran rated 100% permanently and totally (P&T) disabled
• ✓Surviving spouse or child of a veteran who died from a service-connected condition
• ✓Surviving spouse or child of a service member who died in the line of duty
• ✓Must not be eligible for TRICARE (TRICARE-eligible dependents are covered by TRICARE instead)

What CHAMPVA Covers

• ●Doctor visits, hospital care, and surgical procedures
• ●Prescription medications (through Meds by Mail or retail pharmacy)
• ●Mental health services and substance abuse treatment
• ●Preventive care, immunizations, and well-child visits
• ●Durable medical equipment, prosthetics, and orthotics
• ●Annual catastrophic cap of $3,000 per family (costs above this are covered at 100%)

Military and veteran families have access to child care assistance, family counseling, and comprehensive support programs designed to strengthen family readiness during and after service.

Military Child Care Programs

• ✓Child Development Centers (CDCs): On-base child care for ages 6 weeks to 5 years, with fees based on total family income
• ✓Family Child Care (FCC): Licensed in-home child care on military installations
• ✓Military Child Care Fee Assistance: For families who cannot find on-base care, fee assistance helps cover the cost of civilian child care providers
• ✓School-Age Care (SAC): Before and after school programs, holiday care, and summer camps on installations

Family Counseling & Support

• ●Military Family Life Counselors: Free, confidential short-term counseling for relationships, parenting, stress, and grief
• ●New Parent Support Program: Home visits and education for expectant and new parents in military families
• ●Family Advocacy Program (FAP): Prevention and intervention services for domestic violence and child abuse

When veteran families face financial emergencies such as unexpected medical bills, natural disasters, or housing crises, several veteran service organizations offer grants and emergency financial assistance.

• ✓
  VFW Unmet Needs Program: Grants up to $5,000 for military families facing financial hardship due to deployment or service-related issues. Covers housing, vehicle repairs, utilities, medical expenses, and child care.
  VFW Financial Grants
• ✓
  DAV (Disabled American Veterans): Free assistance with VA claims, employment, and transportation to VA medical appointments. Also provides emergency financial assistance through local chapters.
  DAV Assistance
• ✓
  American Legion Temporary Financial Assistance: Grants for minor children of veterans to help with shelter, food, clothing, and utilities. Available to families of veterans from any era.
  American Legion TFA
• ✓
  American Red Cross Military Aid: Emergency financial assistance, emergency communication services, and referrals for service members and their families. Available 24/7 by calling 877-272-7337.
  Red Cross Military Families
• ✓
  Operation Homefront: Critical financial assistance, transitional housing, and recurring family support programs including holiday meals, school supply distribution, and back-to-school brigades.
  Operation Homefront

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory DoD program that works with military and civilian agencies to provide comprehensive community support, housing, educational, and medical services to military families with special needs dependents.

What EFMP Provides

• ✓Assignment coordination: Ensures PCS assignments are to locations where medical and educational services are available for the family member's specific needs
• ✓Family support services: Information, referral, and non-clinical case management at each installation
• ✓Respite care: Temporary relief for caregivers of special needs family members (up to 40 hours per month in some locations)
• ✓Transition support: Help connecting with civilian disability services, Medicaid waivers, and community resources when leaving military service

Special Education Rights

• ●Children with disabilities are entitled to a Free Appropriate Public Education (FAPE) under IDEA
• ●IEPs (Individualized Education Programs) must transfer between states during PCS moves
• ●The Interstate Compact on Educational Opportunity for Military Children helps ensure smooth school transitions
• ●TRICARE covers applied behavior analysis (ABA), speech therapy, occupational therapy, and other developmental services

After Military Service

When transitioning out of the military, families with special needs members should plan ahead to ensure continuity of care. Key steps include applying for Medicaid waivers (which often have long waitlists), connecting with your state's developmental disabilities agency, and ensuring TRICARE or CHAMPVA coverage is in place before separation.