When you think about Military benefits, who do you think is covered? Most people think about the benefits available for active duty Service Members and Veterans, but Military benefits are so much more than that. Did you know there are also benefits available for military spouses? These benefits can be valuable in helping Military spouses navigate Military life, especially when their significant other is away on deployment.

So, what benefits are available for military spouses?
There are tons of benefits available, far too many to list here, but here is a list of our Top Seven benefits available for Military Spouses. Some of these are available automatically, and some you will require you to apply. Regardless, they are all benefits that are worth checking out.

#1 Transferred GI Bill Benefits

Service members and Veterans can transfer their education benefits to their spouses or their children. There are some limitations around this, but this is an excellent benefit that Military spouses can take advantage of if their husband or wife isn’t planning on using all of their education benefits on themselves. Military spouses can even use these benefits up to 15 years after their spouse leaves the service.

#2 Free On-Base Classes

Several free classes and resources are offered for Military spouses on-base. These can include everything from classes on processing the challenges of military life to resources for families and even resources for finding a job. Check on your base to see what classes and resources are available for you to utilize.

#3 Family Service Members’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)

Service members can enroll their family members in this program for life insurance coverage that spans from $10,000 up to $100,000. There are a few restrictions to this program, such as dependent coverage can’t exceed the scope held by the Service member. FSGLI is a great resource to ensure that everyone is adequately covered and can be cared for in a time of need.

#4 Free Healthcare

All active duty Military personnel and their dependents receive free medical care. It can include everything from doctor’s appointments to medical treatments and even medicine that can be purchased on base.

#5 Employment Opportunities

There are several programs and events available to help military spouses find employment. One of these resources is the Military Spouse Employment Partnership hosted by the Department of Defense (DoD). This program helps to pair Military spouses with partner employers that have committed to hiring military spouses. It is an excellent way for military spouses to find valuable employment with an employer who understands a military spouse’s needs.

#6 Childcare

Most military bases have daycare centers available for service members to use. This childcare service isn’t free; however, it is typically much more affordable than other civilian childcare options. If you don’t live near a base or there isn’t availability at the on-base daycare, you can also apply to receive a subsidized allowance to pay for civilian daycare centers as long as they are approved.

#7 Recreation Benefits

Military Welfare and Recreation (MWR) manages most recreation facilities on every base, and these activities are part of your benefits as a MilSpouse. Some of the things that can be included are gyms, pools, bowling, golf, and even classes like a dance. Each base has different services, so you will want to contact your local MWR office to see what is available in your area.

These are just a few of the fantastic benefits that are available for Military spouses. There are so many more, up to and including perks offered through The National Park Service and several different hotels and travel destinations.
Being a Military spouse can be challenging, so these benefits are available to help make your life a little easier. Utilize as many of these benefits and resources as you need to ensure that your experience as a Military spouse is just as successful as your partner’s Military career.

Contact Us

Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

As if transitioning out of the military isn’t already challenging enough, transitioning during a global pandemic is even more difficult. You have to jump through even more hurdles, and it’s much harder to meet with someone in person to get assistance.

We want to make the military transition process as stress-free as possible, so we have put together a few resources you might find helpful during your transition to civilian life. Keep reading to learn more.

How do I apply for benefits?

O ne of the first things you might be wondering about is “how do I file a claim for VA benefits without being able to visit a VA facility?” Don’t worry. You can apply for all of your VA benefits right on the VA.gov website. The VA can still process your claim virtually and if they require medical evidence to approve your claim, they can set up a virtual appointment with you to see a doctor from the comfort of your home.

I need to attend TAP

As part of the transition process, you have to attend the Transition Assistance Program (TAP), but classes were canceled in person due to the pandemic. You now can attend these classes online, so you don’t have to worry about your transition process getting delayed. You can take your TAP courses in your own time and even re-watch a class if you need more clarification.

Can I still use my GI Bill?

Did your classes get moved to an online format? That’s ok. The VA plans to honor all current GI Bill students enrolled as attending on-campus, even if you had to make a switch from in-person to online format. If you have any specific questions about how the VA will handle changes to your GI Bill, you can visit their website.

Can I still get help with Personalized Career Planning?

If you are enrolled in the Chapter 36 Personalized Career Planning program, you will still be able to receive guidance from your assigned counselor, even during the pandemic. You can also still enroll in this program if you believe that you will be eligible, and they will assess your needs and eligibility.

Are there services for mental health?

With the combined stress of transitioning out of the military and a global pandemic, it is understandable that more Veterans are seeking assistance with mental health. There are a lot of excellent mental health services available on the VA website. They even offer 24/7 support for Veterans.

Hopefully, these resources will help make the transition process a little easier, even if you cannot meet with a transition counselor in person. There are even more great resources available online at VA.gov. You can also check out some of our other blogs for more tips and tricks on transitioning to civilian life.

Contact Us

Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

VR&E Reemployment Track

This track helps you through the process of returning to the job you held before you were deployed. As a Veteran, you’re protected under the Uniformed Services Employment and Reemployment Rights Act (USERRA), which means you can’t be disadvantaged in your civilian career because of your service. If you have a service-connected disability the Reemployment track can help your former employer accommodate your needs.

You might be eligible for the Reemployment Track if you’re a Veteran with a service-connected disability, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true. You:

• Have an employment barrier or handicap, and
• Are enrolled in Veteran Readiness and Employment (VR&E), and
• Would like to return to your former job

To apply for this track you will need to apply for VR&E benefits and work with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC).

Rapid Access to Employment Track

This track provides tools to help with your job search, professional or vocational counseling, helping with writing your resume and preparing for interviews, and help determining if you’re eligible for Veterans’ Preference. You’ll want to consider this track if you are interested in following an employment path that uses your existing skill set.

You may be eligible for these benefits if you’re a service member or Veteran with a service-connected disability, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true. You:

• Have an employment handicap or barrier, and
• Are enrolled in VR&E, and
• Already have experience, education, or training in your field of interest

Self-Employment Track

This track provides coordination services and help with developing a proposed business plan, analysis of your business concept, training in small-business operations, marketing, and finances, and guidance in getting the right resources to implement your business plan. You might choose this track if you have the skills and desire to run your own business.

You might be eligible for these benefits if you’re a service member or Veteran with a service-connected disability, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true:

• You have an employment barrier or handicap, and
• You’re enrolled in VR&E, and
• Your service-connected disability makes it hard for you to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests)

Employment Through Long-Term Services Track

This track provides a complete skills assessment, career guidance, job-market evaluation, education and training for a professional or vocational field that’s a good fit for you, apprenticeship, on-the-job training, volunteer opportunities, and employment assistance. This track is ideal for someone whose service-connected disability makes it difficult for them to be successful in their current employment path. You will work with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor who will help you find work in a field that better suits your current abilities and interests.

You may be eligible for these benefits if you’re a service member or Veteran with a service-connected disability, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true:

• You have an employment barrier or handicap, and
• You’re enrolled in VR&E, and
• Your service-connected disability makes it hard for you to prepare for, obtain, and maintain suitable employment (a job that doesn’t make your disability worse, is stable, and matches your abilities, aptitudes, and interests)

Independent Living Track

Depending on your individual needs, this track offers evaluation and counseling to identify your needs and goals, referral to support resources, evaluation to see if you’re eligible for the VR&E home adaptation grant, and guidance to help you understand if you’re eligible for our adaptive-housing programs. You might want to consider this track if your service-connected disability limits your ability to perform daily activities like bathing, dressing, and interacting with others, and makes it difficult for you to return to work.

You may be eligible for independent living services if you’re a service member or Veteran with a service-connected disability who is eligible for VR&E benefits, and you meet all of the requirements listed below.

All of these must be true:

• You have a serious employment handicap (SEH), and
• Your disabilities prevent you from looking for or returning to work, and
• You’re in need of services to live as independently as possible

To apply for any one of these tracks you will need to apply for VR&E benefits and work with a Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor (VRC). They will help you determine which track is the best fit for you and your needs.

Regardless of which track you choose, the VR&E program is a great resource for Veterans with service-connected disabilities. It helps with the transition process and getting you successfully fitted for a civilian career. For more information about Veteran career searches, check out our other blogs.

Contact Us

Have a question about your Veteran benefits? You can email us today! If you are within one-year pre to post-military separation, you can enroll in our FREE program by setting up a call with one of our transition coaches.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Eligibility

The Post-9/11 GI Bill is available to help you pay for school or job training if you served on active duty after September 10, 2001.

You may be eligible for Post-9/11 education benefits if you meet at least one of these requirements.

At least one of these must be true. You:

• Served at least 90 days on active duty (either all at once or with breaks in service) on or after September 11, 2001, or
• Received a Purple Heart on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged after any amount of service, or
• Served for at least 30 continuous days (all at once, without a break in service) on or after September 11, 2001, and were honorably discharged with a service-connected disability, or
• Are a dependent child using benefits transferred by a qualifying Veteran or service member.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Benefits

If you choose the Post-9/11 GI Bill can receive up to 36 months of benefits. These benefits include:

• Tuition and fees. If you qualify for the maximum benefit, the full cost of public, in-state tuition and fees will be covered.
• The rates are capped for private and foreign schools, but updated each year on the VA website.
• Money for housing (if you’re in school more than half time). Your monthly housing allowance will be based on the cost of living where your school is located.
• Money for books and supplies. You can receive up to $1,000 per school year.
• Money to help you move from a rural area to go to school. You may qualify for this one-time payment of $500 if you live in a county with 6 or fewer people per square mile and you’re either moving at least 500 miles to go to school or have no other option but to fly by plane to get to your school.

Post-9/11 GI Bill Expiration and Usage

If you plan to use the Post-9/11 GI Bill you need to be aware of the timeline for expiration.

• If your service ended before January 1, 2013, your Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits will expire 15 years after your last separation date from active service. You must use all of your benefits by that time or you’ll lose whatever’s left.
• If your service ended on or after January 1, 2013, your benefits won’t expire thanks to a new law called the Forever GI Bill – Harry W. Colmery Veterans Educational Assistance Act.

Once you’ve decided the Post-9/11 GI Bill is right for you, you’ll need to apply online at VA.gov.
The benefit amount you’ll receive will depend on which school you go to, how much active-duty service you’ve had since September 10, 2001, and how many credits or training hours you will be taking.

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Eligibility

The Montgomery GI BIll Active Duty will help you pay for education and training programs if you’ve served at least two years on active duty. You may be eligible for education benefits through this program if you were honorably discharged and you meet the requirements of one of the categories below.

Category I

All of these are true. You:

• Have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit, and
• Entered active duty for the first time after June 30, 1985, and
• Had your military pay reduced by $100 a month for the first 12 months of service

And at least one of these is true. You served continuously (without a break) for:

• 3 years, or
• 2 years if that was your agreement when you enlisted, or
• 4 years if you entered the Selected Reserve within a year of leaving active duty (called the 2 by 4 program)

Category II

All of these are true. You:

• Have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit, and
• Entered active duty before January 1, 1977 (or before January 2, 1978, under a delayed enlistment program contracted before January 1, 1977), and
• Served at least 1 day between October 19, 1984, and June 30, 1985, and stayed on active duty through June 30, 1988 (or through June 30, 1987, if you entered the Selected Reserve within 1 year of leaving active duty and served 4 years), and
• Had at least 1 day of entitlement left under the Vietnam Era GI Bill (Chapter 34) as of December 31, 1989

Category III

All of these are true. You:

• Have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit, and
• Don’t qualify for MGIB under categories I or II, and
• Had your military pay reduced by $1,200 before separation

And one of these is true. You:

• Were on active duty on September 30, 1990, and involuntarily separated (not by your choice) after February 2, 1991, or
• Involuntarily separated on or after November 30, 1993, or
• Chose to voluntarily separate under either the Voluntary Separation Incentive (VSI) program or the Special Separation Benefit (SSB) program

Category IV

Both of these are true. You:

• Have a high school diploma, GED, or 12 hours of college credit, and
• Had military pay reduced by $100 a month for 12 months or made a $1,200 lump-sum contribution (meaning you paid it all at once)

And one of these is true. You:

• Were on active duty on October 9, 1996, had money left in a VEAP account on that date, and chose MGIB before October 9, 1997, or
• Entered full-time National Guard duty under title 32, USC, between July 1, 1985, and November 28, 1989, and chose MGIB between October 9, 1996, and July 9, 1997

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Benefits

If you choose to use the Montgomer GI Bill you may get up to 36 months of education benefits, which will be paid monthly. The amount you’ll receive depends on the following factors:

• Your length of service, and
• The type of education or training program you choose, and
• Your category (as defined above), and
• Whether you qualify for a college fund or kicker, and
• How much you’ve paid into the $600 Buy-Up program

Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty Expiration and Usage

You typically have 10 years to use your Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty benefits, but his may change depending on your situation.

Once you’ve decided this GI Bill is right for you you’ll need to verify the program and school you’ve selected is supported by the VA. As long as you’re school is supported the Montgomery GI Bill Active Duty will cover

• Remedial courses (classes some students must take to build up their basic skills in math, reading, or English before they can take regular college courses)
• Deficiency courses (classes some students must take in order to be admitted to a certain college)
• Refresher courses (brief courses that help people review and improve their knowledge in a certain subject area)

We hope that this breakdown of the Post-9/11 GI Bill and the Montgomery GI Bill will be valuable in helping you determine which GI Bill is right for you. If you need any further explanation on the GI Bills you can always visit VA.gov.

Are you familiar with Veterans’ Group Life Insurance? If you are transitioning out of the military soon and currently have Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), then you are going to want to keep reading to get a better understanding of VGLI. We are going to cover the top 5 things you should know about Veterans’ Group Life Insurance.

#1 – What is VGLI?

Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI) is an insurance plan that allows you to convert your Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) to a renewable group life insurance plan after you leave service. As long as you pay your premiums, you will remain covered by the VGLI.

#2 – Who is Covered?

The VGLI covers Veterans and former servicemembers, but you must be able to meet certain criteria to qualify.
At least one of these must be true. You:

• Had part-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) as a member of the National Guard or Reserves, and you suffered an injury or disability (damage to your body or mind that makes it hard for you to do everyday tasks, including meaningful work) while on duty—including direct traveling to and from duty—that disqualified you for standard premium insurance rates, or
• Had SGLI while you were in the military and you’re within 1 year and 120 days of being released from an active-duty period of 31 or more days, or
• Are within 1 year and 120 days of retiring or being released from the Ready Reserves or National Guard, or
• Are within 1 year and 120 days of assignment to the Individual Ready Reserves (IRR) of a branch of service, or to the Inactive National Guard (ING). This includes members of the United States Public Health Service Inactive Reserve Corps (IRC), or
• Are within 1 year and 120 days of being put on the Temporary Disability Retirement List (TDRL)

#3 – What are the benefits of VGLI and how do I sign up?

The amount of benefits you can receive is based on the coverage you previously had through SGLI, but you can receive between $10,000 to $400,000 in life insurance benefits. When you leave the military, you can sign up through VGLI for coverage up to the amount you had through SGLI. You can also increase your coverage by $25,000 every 5 years—up to $400,000—until you’re 60 years old.

To sign up for VGLI you’ll need to apply within 1 year and 120 days of leaving the military.

If you sign up within 240 days of leaving the military, you won’t need to prove you’re in good health. If you sign up after the 240-day period, you’ll need to submit evidence that you’re in good health.
There are several different ways you can apply for coverage:

• Apply through the Office of Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (OSGLI), using the Prudential website. Apply online through OSGLI
• Apply online through eBenefits
• Apply by mail or fax. Fill out the Application for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (SGLV 8714). Download the Application for Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (PDF)

#4 – How much does VGLI cost?

Like a traditional commercial life insurance policy, the cost of your VGLI premium will vary based on your age and the amount of coverage that you’d prefer. As your age increases, the premium cost also increases. If you are 29 years old and seeking $400,000 in coverage your monthly premium will be $28; however, if you are 49 years old and seeking the same coverage your monthly premium will be $84.

The VA has a chart at VA.gov that breaks down the cost for each age range and premium amount.

#5 – Can I convert VGLI to a traditional commercial plan?

If you decide you would like to convert your policy to a commercial policy then you can easily convert at the standard premium rates without having to prove that you’re in good health. You will just need to choose your new insurance company, apply for coverage at their local office, and give your new insurance agent a VGLI Conversion Notice.

The policy you are converting to must be a permanent policy, such as a whole life policy. You can’t convert to other types of policies, like term, variable life, or universal life insurance. Also, supplementary policy benefits, like Accidental Death and Dismemberment or Waiver of Premium for Disability, aren’t considered part of the conversion policy.

If you are within one year pre- or post-transition and you have questions about VGLI or any other transition concerns, visit SAVIvets.org and connect with one of our SAVI mentors.