Family & Dependents

Browse benefits for military families and dependents. Placeholder copy not final.

63 benefits

CCA

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.
$400-$1,500
Active Duty
Official program
Free Pro-Sports Tickets via Team Armed Forces Programs

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.
free
Active DutyVeteranRetireeDependent
Editorial
Operation Purple Camps

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…
free
VeteranActive DutyRetiree
Official program
Our Military Kids Activity Grants

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…
$300-$500
VeteranActive DutyRetiree
Official program
Hidden Helper Hero Award

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.
VeteranActive DutyRetiree
Official program
Blue Star Families Local Chapters

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

Blue Star Families operates 40+ local chapters across the U.S.
free
Active DutyVeteranRetireeDependent
Official program
Military Child of the Year Award

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,…
Active DutyVeteran
Official program
Operation Homefront

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.
free
VeteranActive DutyRetiree
Official program
Operation Homefront

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.
Active DutyDependent
Official program
ASYMCA Summer Programs

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…
FREE for active-duty
Active DutyDependent
Official program
Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance

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.
Dependent
Federal .gov
VA Caregiver Support Program

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.
DependentVeteran
Federal .gov
CHAMPVA

CHAMPVA (health coverage for dependents)

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

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.
Active DutyVeteranDependent
Official program
Fee Assistance for off-base childcare

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.).
Active DutyVeteranDependent
Official program
EFMP

EFMP (Exceptional Family Member Program)

Identification + accommodation program for service members with family members who have special medical/educational needs.
Active DutyDependent
Federal .gov
Dependency and Indemnity Compensation

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.
free
Dependent
Federal .gov
Gold Star Family License Plate

Gold Star Family License Plate

Families of service members who died in active duty or as a result of a service-connected injury can get a "Gold Star Family" specialty license plate for the same cost as a regular plate.
Dependent
State source
Montana Military Family Relief Fund

Montana Military Family Relief Fund: Deployment Grants

Families of Montana National Guard and Reserve members who are deployed on active federal duty can receive cash grants to help cover food, housing, utilities, and medical costs.
Active DutyVeteranDependent
State source
Purple Star School Designation

Purple Star School Designation: Support for Military-Connected Students

Ohio designates "Purple Star" schools that have made a formal commitment to supporting students from military families, including deploying families, National Guard and reserve families, and veteran families.
Active DutyVeteran
Federal .gov
Military Family Relief Assistance Program

Military Family Relief Assistance Program (MFRAP)

Pennsylvania's Military Family Relief Assistance Program provides emergency financial assistance to Pennsylvania National Guard members and their families during periods of state or federal active-duty service.
free
Active DutyVeteranDependent
State source
Wisconsin GI Bill for Dependents

Wisconsin GI Bill for Dependents: Tuition Waiver Extending to Spouses and Children

Spouses, unremarried surviving spouses, and dependent children (ages 17-25) of qualifying Wisconsin veterans can use the Wisconsin GI Bill to attend UW System or Wisconsin…
free for up to 8 semesters or 128 credits
Dependent
State source
Wisconsin Veterans Homes

Wisconsin Veterans Homes: Spouse and Gold Star Parent Admission

Spouses (including surviving spouses) of veterans and Gold Star Parents of veterans killed on active duty may be admitted to Wisconsin state veterans homes for skilled nursing…
Dependent
State source
Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund

Wyoming Military Assistance Trust Fund: Emergency Grants

The Military Assistance Trust Fund provides one-time emergency financial grants to Wyoming National Guard members and their families when financial hardship is directly caused by state or federal military duty.
Active DutyVeteran
State source