Military Programs and Benefits

Military members and veterans have access to valuable benefits. Some are for families too.

• Health Care - The Military Health System provides care for members, retirees, and dependents.

• Housing - As a member or veteran, you can apply for home loans and grants from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

• Education - You may qualify for education benefits through military and veterans programs. You might even be able to transfer your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to your spouse or children.

• Life Insurance - All members are enrolled in service members' life insurance. Retirees can enroll in the Survivor Benefit Plan.

• Job Training and Help - Service members leaving the military can get help finding a civilian job.

• Retirement - Members who retire with at least 20 years of service get a monthly annuity for life.

If you're a service member, veteran, or spouse, you’re not alone. The military and federal agencies have resources to help you manage life.  Use these tools to get help with finances, health care, jobs, moving, and other challenges.

Manage Your Benefits and Records with milConnect

If you're a military member or a veteran, you can manage many of your benefits and records in one place. MilConnect, a self-service portal, lets you:

• Get copies of your Official Military Personnel File

• Update your family members in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS)

• Transfer your GI Bill education benefits to family members

• View your health care coverage

• Update your work and personal contact information

• Find all the latest information and resources to manage your benefits

National Resource Directory for Service Members and Veterans

The National Resource Directory connects the military and veterans with local support. Find military assistance resources for:

• Jobs

• Health

• Homelessness

• Housing

• Caregiver support

Financial Assistance for Service Members and Veterans

The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB) helps military families and veterans with financial issues including:

• Filing complaints

• Avoiding scams targeting military and veterans

• Improving money management skills

Military OneSource

Military OneSource offers help with all aspects of military life. Counseling for service members and families is free and confidential.

Find information and resources in areas such as:

• Military financial and legal assistance

• Job and education help for military spouses

• Parenting and military child care assistance

• Deployment help for military families

• Moving assistance for military families

• Military health and wellness, including:

  • Preventing training injuries

  • Dealing with family violence

  • Managing stress and suicidal thoughts

You can also call Military OneSource at 1-800-342-9647 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Visit their contact page to learn how to call from outside the U.S. or from your computer.

Tax Benefits  

The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) offers a list of tax benefits for military, retirees, and veterans. Benefits include a combat pay exemption, tax breaks for military dependents, and other deductions. 

Tax Preparation Help 

• Military OneSource offers service members MilTax, a free tax preparation and filing software program. They also provide free personalized help from tax consultants.
• The IRS offers an interactive tax assistant and other tax tools to help with general tax preparation.
• Learn more about the tax law changes that may affect service members and their families. Changes include an increased child tax credit and new rules for deducting moving expenses. 

If you receive military or veterans benefits, you may also qualify for other state and federal benefits. This includes Social Security, unemployment benefits, health insurance coverage, welfare, and food assistance.

• Welfare and food assistance - Military and veteran families with a low income can get help with food costs from a wide range of nutrition programs. This includes Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) benefits, or “food stamps.” Learn how to apply for SNAP benefits. You may also qualify for welfare or temporary assistance for needy families (TANF). This can give you help with housing, home energy, child care, job training, and more.  
• Health benefits - Members of the military and their families receive a wide range of health coverage through TRICARE health plans. If you have a low income, you may also qualify for Medicaid or the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP). Once you turn 65 or older, or meet other requirements, you can sign up for Medicare. Get information on how to use Medicare and TRICARE together.  
• Social Security - You can qualify for both Social Security benefits and military retirement. You’ll receive your full Social Security benefits based on your earnings. To get your benefits, you must earn credits by working and paying Social Security taxes. Learn more about Social Security and how it works.
• Unemployment benefits - If you recently left the military, you may be eligible for unemployment compensation for ex-service members (UCX). You may also qualify for your state’s unemployment insurance program. These programs pay money to workers who become unemployed through no fault of their own. Find out how to apply for unemployment benefits.