Family & Dependents

CCA — Child Care Aware Fee Assistance

Child Care Aware of America (CCA) administers DoD-funded fee assistance that subsidizes off-base civilian childcare for military families when on-base CDC slots aren't available or aren't a fit. Reduces the family's out-of-pocket childcare cost to roughly what on-base care would

Free Pro-Sports Tickets via Team Armed Forces Programs

Most MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL, and MLS teams run an annual Armed Forces Day or recurring Military Appreciation program offering free or reduced-price tickets to active-duty, veterans, and dependents. Atlanta Braves' Armed Forces Day on 5/16/26 is a current example — free game tickets f

Operation Purple Camps (NMFA) — Free Summer Camp for Military Kids

The National Military Family Association runs Operation Purple Camps — free, week-long, fully-funded summer camps for children of military service members, with priority for kids whose parents are deployed, recovering from injury, or processing a recent loss. Camps run in 10+ sta

Our Military Kids Activity Grants — $300-$500 Per Child During Deployment

Our Military Kids provides $300-$500 grants per child for extracurricular activities (sports, music lessons, art, tutoring, summer camps, theater, robotics) when a parent is deployed with Guard or Reserve forces, OR recovering from a service-connected injury. Grant pays the activ

Hidden Helper Hero Award — Recognition + Support for Caregiver Kids

Our Military Kids' Hidden Helper Hero Award recognizes the children (ages 5-18) who provide critical caregiving to a combat-injured, ill, or recovering parent. Winners receive media recognition + a financial award + connection to peer caregivers. Six awards announced annually.

Blue Star Families Local Chapters — Free Spouse / Family Community Network

Blue Star Families operates 40+ local chapters across the U.S. (newest: Hampton Roads, VA — launched April 2026) running free monthly coffee meetups, kids' events, deployment support, employment workshops, and policy advocacy. Membership free, no qualification beyond active or ve

Military Child of the Year Award — $10K Scholarship + Recognition

Operation Homefront's Military Child of the Year® Award recognizes one outstanding military child (ages 13-18) from each branch — Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard, Space Force, National Guard — plus an Innovation Award winner. Recipients receive $10,000 scholarshi

Operation Homefront — SNHU Military Spouse Scholarships

Operation Homefront partners with Southern New Hampshire University (SNHU) to award full-tuition scholarships to military spouses pursuing online degrees. Five spouses per year selected. Covers tuition, books, technology fees — graduate debt-free with an accredited degree.

Operation Homefront — Critical Financial Assistance

Operation Homefront's Critical Financial Assistance program covers urgent financial needs for military families: utility bills, vehicle repair, medical bills, food assistance, deployment-related expenses. Grants up to $5,000 per family per crisis event. Funds disbursed to vendors

ASYMCA Summer Programs — Free Family Camps + Kids' Mental Wellness Support

Armed Services YMCA (ASYMCA) runs summer family camps, kids' mental wellness programming during deployment, military spouse writing programs, and Operation Hero (after-school tutoring for at-risk military kids). Programs are FREE for active-duty, Guard / Reserve, and dependent fa

Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance (Chapter 35)

Up to 36 months of education benefits for surviving spouses + children of veterans who died from service-connected condition or were 100% disabled.

VA Caregiver Support Program (PCAFC stipend)

Monthly stipend + healthcare + training for family caregivers of eligible disabled veterans. Stipend tied to hours of care + GS-4 rate for the area — often substantial.

CHAMPVA (health coverage for dependents)

Health coverage for spouses + dependents of veterans rated permanently and totally disabled, or who died from service-connected condition.

MCCYN (Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood)

Subsidy that lets active-duty + Guard/Reserve on orders use off-base childcare at on-base rates when on-base slots are full.

Fee Assistance for off-base childcare (Child Care Aware)

Off-base childcare fee assistance administered by Child Care Aware of America — separate per-branch programs (Army AFA, Navy CCA, etc.).

EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)

Identification + accommodation program for service members with family members who have special medical/educational needs. Affects PCS assignments to ensure proper services available.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

Tax-free monthly payment to surviving spouses, children, parents of service members who died in line of duty or from service-connected condition.