Taking care of our service members and families

WHAT IS IT? We’re allocating more funds to subsidize commissary prices so military families save at least 25% on their purchases.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All uniformed service members including reserve component and Coast Guard members are eligible.

HOW TO ACCESS: Shoppers will see commissary prices drop 3-5% over the next month.

Download the Commissary Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? We’ll offer a monthly allowance for active-duty service members with dependents whose gross household income falls below 130% of federal poverty guidelines. By law, payment of the allowance begins in January 2023.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Active-duty service members with dependents who have completed initial entry training and whose gross household income falls below 130% of federal poverty guidelines for their location. Learn more about eligibility.

HOW TO ACCESS: Service members will have to apply using documents that confirm the income of members of their households, such as a tax return, a W2 or a leave and earnings statement. Military departments and service branches are required to proactively screen service members for eligibility and notify them of their potential eligibility.

Download the Basic Needs Allowance Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? We’re making three changes: 1. We will partially reimburse a service member for temporary lodging and meal expenses while in temporary lodging, in CONUS, during a PCS, based on the local per diem rate and the number of dependents. 2. We will increase the automatic payment of TLE from 10 days to 14 days during moves within CONUS. 3. We will permanently permit TLE extensions for a location experiencing a housing shortage regardless of the reason for up to 60 days.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All uniformed service members including Coast Guardsmen and the commissioned corps of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and Public Health Service are eligible.

HOW TO ACCESS: To receive an extension of up to 60 days, the location must be approved by the Per Diem, Travel and Transportation Allowance Committee. Service members may request an advance or may file for reimbursement with the servicing PCS finance office based on service policies and procedures.

Download the Dislocation Allowance and Temporary Lodging Expense Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? We are increasing the flat amount we pay eligible service members to partially reimburse them for moving expenses incurred during a PCS.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? This action will increase DLA for E-1 to E-6 service members.

HOW TO ACCESS: On Oct. 1, 2022, DLA rates will be increased. Service members will be paid no later than one month prior to their move date.

Download the Dislocation Allowance Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? We are creating online tools, guides and FAQ sections to make moving simpler for military families.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All uniformed service members including National Guard and reserve, Coast Guard and their families, and veterans up to 365 days after separation can use these resources.

HOW TO ACCESS: Connect with intel through the PCS & Military Moves page, Plan My Move, Military OneSource social media channels and eNewsletters.

Download the Military OneSource Moving Your Personal Property Webpage Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? Service members will be able to contribute up to $5,000 per family per year in pretax income to pay for dependent care expenses ($2,500 if married filing separate tax returns).

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Enrollment in the program will be open to all active component service members. Future phases of implementation are planned to include reserve component service members. Qualifying expenses are for: 1) tax dependents who are children under the age of 13; or 2) a spouse or other tax dependent (regardless of age) who is mentally or physically incapable of self-care. DCFSAs are already available to the Department’s civilian employees.

HOW TO ACCESS: The Department is aiming to make this benefit available to eligible service members as soon as feasible, and perhaps during the next open season, November to December 2023. If the program is not ready to be implemented by then, there will be a special enrollment period for service members to contribute in the 2024 tax year. The DOD and military services will provide service members with additional information on the program later this year.

Download the Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? The president’s budget seeks $90.4M in FY2024 to fully fund prekindergarten at all DODEA schools. If enacted by Congress, this budget proposal will offer tuition-free, full-day prekindergarten to eligible 4-year-old family members.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Approximately 4,000 military-connected 4-year-olds will be eligible for free, full-day prekindergarten at DODEA schools. Eligibility for universal prekindergarten at a DODEA school will be governed by existing DODEA policies for CONUS and OCONUS locations (detailed here: DODEA, "Registration Process – Eligibility and Enrollment,"   https://www.dodea.edu/registration-process.cfm).

HOW TO ACCESS: Once funded, each DODEA school will begin appropriate provisioning to begin accepting applications to enroll eligible 4-year-old family members. Parents will receive updates from their local schools on the application process.

Download the Prekindergarten at DODEA Schools Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? A revision of the Exceptional Family Member Program Department of Defense Instruction and changes to Military OneSource to improve support for families with EFMP needs.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Eligibility for EFMP will continue to be governed by the DOD and service policy. Active duty, National Guard and reserve (regardless of activation status) and their immediate family members are eligible for Military OneSource services. In addition, veterans, including Coast Guard and their immediate families, can access Military OneSource for up to 365 days after separation/retirement.

HOW TO ACCESS: Eligible participants can connect with Military OneSource by calling 800-342-9647 or initiating a live chat via the My Military OneSource app at https://www.militaryonesource.mil/.

Download the Increase Support for Families With Members Who Have Exceptional Needs Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? The Expanded Military Parental Leave Program builds on the Defense Department’s support of military families by streamlining and enhancing parental leave.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Active-duty and reserve service members (on active duty for more than 12 consecutive months) who have a qualifying event on or after Dec. 27, 2022.

HOW TO ACCESS:  As of Feb. 1, 2023, all the military services published detailed guidance on the required forms, approval authorities and service-specific guidance to request leave under the new program. Contact your service’s human resources professionals for more information.

Download the Military Parental Leave Policy Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? We are investing in CDP facilities and infrastructure to increase capacity.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All active-duty service members including National Guard and reserve on active duty, DOD civilian employees and other authorized users are eligible.

HOW TO ACCESS: You can request child care through MilitaryChildCare.com.

WHAT IS IT? We’re offering CDP direct-care workers a fee discount for their own kids as a way to bolster worker recruitment and retention. This will help to maximize existing child care capacity, reduce waiting lists for care and support spouse employment.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? The discount applies to the first child of all direct care staff of CDPs.

HOW TO ACCESS: Eligible CDP personnel can access the benefit through their CDP.

WHAT IS IT? We are improving access to child care programs including Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS and the In-Home Child Care Pilot.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?

• Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood-PLUS is available to active-duty service members including National Guard and reserve on active duty and DOD civilian employees in participating locations.
• The In-Home Child Care Pilot is currently available in Hawaii; National Capital Region; Norfolk, Virginia; San Antonio, Texas; and San Diego, California, and will be expanding to Colorado Springs, Colorado; Seattle/Tacoma, Washington; Jacksonville/Mayport and Fort Walton Beach, Florida; Fayetteville, North Carolina; and Las Vegas, Nevada. Eligible military families include single or dual active-duty members; active-duty members with a full-time working spouse; and active-duty members with a spouse enrolled in a postsecondary institution on a full-time basis.

HOW TO ACCESS: Authorized users can request child care through MilitaryChildCare.com.

Download the Child Care Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? This initiative directs the DOD to continue to collaborate with states and work with other federal agencies to promote licensure portability to maximize the benefits to service members and spouses. DOD will:

• Continue to advance licensure compacts as the priority to achieving licensure reciprocity for nationwide mobility.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Both service members and spouses with valid professional licenses who relocate their residence to accompany service members on orders. However, the law specifically excludes licenses to practice law from the definition of covered licenses.

HOW TO ACCESS? When a service member or spouse relocates their residency due to military orders, this federal law requires the new state of residency to treat a covered professional license as valid at a similar scope of practice and in the discipline applied for, subject to certain conditions. The license is considered valid for the duration of such military orders. As each state implements the new law, service members and spouses should contact the appropriate state offices with any questions about licensure portability or equivalency and consult applicable state websites for more information.

Download the Professional Licensure Portability Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? My Career Advancement Account is a career development initiative that provides a maximum tuition benefit (scholarship) of $4,000, with an annual fiscal year cap of $2,000, to assist eligible military spouses who need professional credentials to meet their portable career goals. Participating military spouses may use MyCAA funding for the pursuit or maintenance (including testing for credit and continuing education units) of a license, certification or associate degree necessary to gain employment in an occupation or career field. Through a 2018 RAND study, MyCAA was shown to impact spouses’ ability to find employment with higher rates of compensation.

WHO IS NOW ELIGIBLE FOR MYCAA? With this expansion, military spouses of active-duty service members in grades E1-E6, W1-W2 and O1-O3 can register for MyCAA financial assistance.

HOW TO ACCESS? To get started, spouses can verify eligibility and register for a MyCAA account at https://mycaa.militaryonesource.mil/mycaa/. After registration, spouses will then work with a certified Spouse Education and Career Opportunities career coach on a MyCAA Education and Training Plan. This plan will be reviewed as part of the application process for the MyCAA scholarship, and when approved, the spouse can then receive financial assistance.

Download the Expanded Eligibility For MyCAA Financial Assistance Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? Compacts allow military spouses to work in a member state without having to fulfill further licensing requirements. Nine licensure compacts currently exist and are being approved by states for specific professions.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All military spouses including active-duty, National Guard and reserve spouses are eligible.

Download the Spouse Employment Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? By promoting available civilian hiring authorities and workplace flexibilities that support our military spouses, DOD can better provide critical mission talent while bolstering the financial stability of military families. Utilizing workplace flexibilities such as telework and remote work further expands recruitment and retention opportunities for military spouses.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All military spouses are eligible for this opportunity.

HOW TO ACCESS: Military spouses can search for job openings at USAjobs.gov, as well as remain aware of opportunities within DOD at dodciviliancareers.com.

Download the Spouse Employment Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? Starting in January 2023, a new pilot program will provide military spouses with paid private-sector fellowships in a variety of industry sectors.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? Currently serving military spouses including active duty, National Guard and reserve are eligible.

Download the Spouse Employment Fact Sheet

WHAT IS IT? MSEP brings together employers committed to recruiting, hiring, promoting and retaining military spouses. MSEP launched in 2011 with 45 partners. We currently have 540 employer partners and will continue growing the partnership to expand opportunities for military spouses.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE? All current military spouses (active duty, National Guard and reserve) including those who are up to 365 days post separation/retirement are eligible.

Download the Spouse Employment Fact Sheet