Military Programs and Benefits
Get info about military benefits like health care, housing, and education. Discover programs that help with military life, like job search help for spouses and dealing with deployments. Access free family counseling. Get tax filing help geared for the military.
Military members and veterans have access to valuable benefits. Some are for families too.
Military Assistance Programs for Veterans, Service Members, and Families
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:
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:
Free Credit Monitoring for Active Duty and National Guard
If you’re active duty or in the National Guard, you can get free credit monitoring under a new Federal Trade Commission rule. To enroll in the program, visit the military monitoring web page for each of the three nationwide credit monitoring agencies:
Credit monitoring services alert you to changes to your credit file like a new credit card or loan in your name. These might signal fraudulent charges and/or identity theft. Now that you're aware, you can dispute the charges or take corrective action.
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:
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.
Military Tax Guidance and Tax Preparation Help
Service members, veterans, and their families may be able to use MilTax, a free tax preparation program, to get help filing taxes. The IRS also offers tax benefits for military members and their families.
Tax Preparation Help
Tax Benefits for Military, Dependents, Veterans
The IRS offers tax information for military, retirees, and veterans. It covers tax benefits and tax handling for various situations and groups. These include:
A combat pay exclusion for active military
Disability pay benefits for veterans
Death benefits for survivors of military members
State and Federal Benefits for Military Families
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.
Food Assistance
There are many nutrition programs that can help military and veteran families with food costs. This includes Supplemental Assistance Nutrition Program (SNAP) benefits, or “food stamps.” Learn how to apply for SNAP benefits.
Welfare Benefits (TANF)
Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) is the program commonly known as welfare. TANF includes help with housing, utilities, child care, job training, and more. If you are in the military, you may be eligible to receive TANF.
Health Insurance
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 meet other requirements, you can sign up for Medicare. Get information on how to use Medicare and TRICARE together.
Social Security Benefits
You may 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 two types of unemployment benefits:
You should apply for UCX as soon as possible after you're discharged. Find out how to apply for unemployment benefits.
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Last Updated:
September 15, 2020