The military will allow you to add a child sibling as a dependent. The same applies to brothers, nephews, nieces and any other family members who rely on you. However, you’ll need to be aware of what rules will apply once that child reaches adulthood, since even your own children will “age out” of your benefits once they reach 21.
Can I extend my military benefits to a sibling?
A serviceperson’s spouse and children are entitled to those benefits, including health care, shopping at on-base shops, access to recreational facilities on military bases and more. But if the person living with you is a sibling instead of a spouse, extending those benefits can be complicated, but it is still doable.
How do military family members receive military benefits?
To receive any military benefits, military family members must be registered in the military's personnel system, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and receive a military ID card. To do that you need to be the service member's spouse or child. Certain other family members can also receive ID cards in some circumstances.
Can I Claim my Sister as a dependent in the military?
If your sister is under the age of 18, the rules shift slightly. The military will allow you to add a child sibling as a dependent. The same applies to brothers, nephews, nieces and any other family members who rely on you.
Do adult children qualify for military benefits?
While we get a lot of questions about military benefits, if you were told there are adult child military benefits for which you qualify, you were likely misinformed. Most military benefits for non-disabled adult children end at age 21 -- and all of them disappear by age 27.
Do siblings get military discounts?
For Family Members Plus, you shouldn't have to be on hand for them to redeem the military discount. Your immediate family, including your spouse, father or mother, brother or sister, son or daughter can also get a VetRewards Card to show eligibility for VetRewards Exclusives.
Do I get benefits if my brother is in the military?
To receive any military benefits, military family members must be registered in the military's personnel system, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and receive a military ID card. To do that you need to be the service member's spouse or child.
Which family members get military benefits?
A family member is a spouse, registered domestic partner, parent, or child. Have worked in California and paid into State Disability Insurance (SDI) (noted as “CASDI” on most paystubs) in the past 5 to 18 months. Not have taken the maximum eight weeks of PFL in the past 12 months.
Do military benefits extend to siblings?
Parents, siblings, grandparents, extended family, friends and loved ones of service members are a part of their service member's network of support – as well as part of the extended military community.
Can I make my brother my military dependent?
You must submit the Servicemember's or spouse's birth certificate and proof of the relationship, DD Forms 137-3 and 1172 to show financial dependency, and proof of the family member's identity to DFAS.
Can you make your sister a dependent in the military?
The military will allow you to add a child sibling as a dependent. The same applies to brothers, nephews, nieces and any other family members who rely on you.
Do family members get military benefits?
As a service member, you qualify for numerous family benefits that assist with the expenses of the necessary items — education, medical care and child care. Take advantage of all your military benefits, including adoption allowances and grants, to help pay for children's expenses.
Who is considered a military family member?
Military family: Immediate family members related by blood, marriage, or adoption to a current member of the U.S. armed forces, including one who is deceased.
Who is eligible for military survivor benefits?
Yes. You are covered under SBP if you die while on active duty, are married, or have dependent children and have completed 20 or more years of active service, at time of death.
Can siblings be in the same military unit?
Brothers serve together in special forces unit, carry on generations of service. FORT BRAGG, N.C. - Family members serving simultaneously in the military is rare, but even more uncommon is two siblings serving together in the same active-duty unit.
Can my brother get a military ID?
The Department of Defense issues eligible dependents and other eligible individuals a distinct identification card (ID) authorizing them to receive Uniformed Services benefits and privileges. Dependents of active duty and retired service members receive a tan colored ID Card (DD Form 1173).
Can I put my sister in DEERS?
The service member can add a new family member into DEERS in person at any military ID card-issuing facility. Service members are also expected to update DEERS with any change in the sponsor's service status, change in contact information, or change in family status (marriage, divorce, birth, adoption, death).
How to get military benefits?
To receive any military benefits, military family members must be registered in the military's personnel system, the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), and receive a military ID card. To do that you need to be the service member's spouse or child.
What are the benefits of being in the military?
The military can be a difficult lifestyle for a family, but it does come with some excellent benefits. Some of those are in the form of cash, and some are in the form of discounts. In addition to the bi-monthly paycheck, military service members receive benefits like money for housing, subsidized groceries and healthcare.
What is BAH in military?
Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) is given to every active-duty service member as part of their bi-weekly pay. How much you receive is usually based on where your service member is stationed. Even if you choose to live somewhere other than his duty station while he is home or deployed, you will still receive BAH based on duty station, not your residence.
Why is MWR more affordable than off base?
The programs MWR funds and manages on base are often much more affordable than their off-base counterparts because the government subsidizes their costs. MWR manages most recreation on every base, including gyms, pools, bowling alleys, horse stables, event centers, golf courses, discounted equipment rentals and more.
What do military members get?
Every military service member receives at least a base pay. Most also receive a variety of allowances, special pays and bonuses de pending on things like deployment, paygrade and military job. For most married service members, those allowances include Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) and Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH).
What is military shopping?
Military Shopping Benefits. Known as "non-monetary compensation," military shopping benefits help military families save money on the things they want or need. Most bases worldwide are home to a military commissary operated by a government organization called the Defense Commissary Agency (DeCA).
How to find out military pay?
An easy way to figure out your service member's pay, regardless of branch of military service, is by using the Military.com pay calculator. You can also download the calculator as an easy-to-use app for iOS or Android.
What benefits do you get for being a service member?
As a service member, you qualify for numerous family benefits that assist with the expenses of the necessary items – education, medical care and child care.
How many schools does the Department of Defense offer?
The Department of Defense is committed to making sure all military children have the opportunity for a quality education. To that end, the department offers: 172 Department of Defense Education Activity schools around the world for school-aged military children. Eligible students can attend on a tuition-free basis.
Can I transfer my GI bill to my family?
When it comes to paying for higher education, the GI Bill, in some cases, allows you to transfer education benefits to your family.
Can you turn to the Department of Defense for child care?
You can turn to the Department of Defense for quality, affordable child care options. These options – both on the installation and off – can put your mind at ease while you work. Contact your installation’s child development center for more information on its child care programs and options.
Is it free for kids to join the military?
Kids aren’t free. You have a surprising number of benefits as a military family. See something you want to know more about or are curious about something not listed? Visit Military OneSource or call at 800-342-9647.
How long do you have to serve in the military to receive benefits?
7, 1980 generally has to serve at least 24 months or their full enlistment in order to receive any benefits based on that period of service. AND
What are the benefits of surviving a veteran?
These include Dependent Indemnity Compensation, a Death Gratuity payment and Tricare benefits.
How long can a spouse stay in government housing?
The spouse and children of a deceased service member living in government quarters are entitled to either remain in government housing for 365 days, or to relocate to private quarters and receive a one year of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA) as appropriate.
How long can a spouse be on active duty?
Surviving spouses and unmarried children of deceased active duty or retired service members are eligible if the sponsor was serving or was ordered to active duty for more than 30 days at time of death.
How long does a veteran have to be on disability before he dies?
Veteran whose death resulted from a non service-related injury or disease, and who was receiving, or was entitled to receive, VA Compensation for service-connected disability that was rated as totally disabling for at least 10 years immediately before death, OR since the veteran's release from active duty and for at least five years immediately preceding death, OR for at least one year before death if the veteran was a former prisoner of war who died after Sep. 30, 1999.
How long does a ROTC member have to die to receive death gratuity?
A ROTC member who dies while performing annual training duty under orders for a period of more than 13 days, or on authorized travel. A person who has been accepted to active duty and dies while traveling to or from that place or under orders. Learn more about the Death Gratuity Payment.
Can you be a second dependent in the military?
Again, this is an “it depends” kind of answer. But there may be some good news. In the military, parents, parents-in-law or someone who has acted as your parent (the term for this is "in loco parentis") can be made your "secondary dependent," as can disabled adult children and minor children of whom you have custody.
Can a parent dependent be referred off base?
If it does, your parent-dependent can be seen as a Tricare Plus user for primary care only on a space-available basis. They cannot be seen for any specialty appointments under Tricare Plus, and they cannot be referred off base unless they want to pay the full cost of those visits out of pocket.
Does Tricare cover military parents?
While military parents' benefits are available, the Tricare coverage rules for those in the parent category are a little different than for other secondary dependents.
When do military benefits end for children?
Most military benefits for non-disabled adult children end at age 21 -- and all of them disappear by age 27.
What age can a military child get education?
After that, all military benefits are over. From the Department of Veterans Affairs, a non-disabled military child under age 26 might qualify for education benefits (and sometimes they give waivers for those over that age) if their parent was killed in combat, died from a service-connected disability or has been ruled permanently ...
How long can you use Tricare for a child?
And parents can purchase an extended Tricare option, known as Tricare Young Adult, until they are 25. Also, if a child was transferred a service member parent's post-9/11 GI Bill benefit, she has until age 26 to use it. After that, all military benefits are over.
Can a full time student receive VA health care?
Sometimes, adult children who are full-time students also can receive health care through the VA. To be eligible for that, the parent must be rated permanently and totally disabled due to a service-connected disability or have died as the result of a service-connected disability or after being ruled permanently and totally disabled. That coverage ends at age 23 regardless of school enrollment.
What are the benefits of a military survivor?
Survivor benefits are available to the children of deceased or permanently disabled service members, including: 1 Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): An untaxed monthly payment to the survivors (including children) of military service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury (or who were permanently disabled as a result of their service). 2 Dependents' Education Assistance Program (DEA): This program offers up to 45 months (81 for some beneficiaries) of education benefits to surviving children of service members who either died or were permanently disabled as a result of their service. 3 Death Gratuity: One-time payment of up to $100,000 to survivors of a service member (or non-military federal employee) who dies of injuries incurred in service with the military.
What are the programs available to immediate family members of service members in all five military branches?
Education Assistance Programs. Various education programs are available to immediate family members of service members in all five military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard). These include programs that ease the burdens on families that frequently relocate as well as grants and scholarship programs.
What is a survivor benefit?
Survivor benefits are available to the children of deceased or permanently disabled service members, including: Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC): An untaxed monthly payment to the survivors (including children) of military service members who died in the line of duty or from a service-related injury ...
How long do you have to serve to get GI Bill?
In order to qualify for this benefit, which applies to officers and enlisted service members, you must have had at least six years of service (active or reserve) and be obligated to serve at least four additional years. For example, an enlisted woman who has served seven years and is committed for another five years, may transfer her unused GI Bill benefits to her child. If you’re prevented from serving another four years by policy or statute, you can still qualify if you’ve served at least ten years and serve whatever time is left available to you under policy or statute. Keep in mind that only education benefits that you don’t use for yourself may be transferred.
What to do if you have questions about military benefits for children?
If you have additional questions about military benefits for children, consider speaking with a military lawyer.
What is the military health insurance program called?
Health Insurance Coverage. The DoD's three-tiered health care program, called Tricare, covers military families and their survivors. It is perhaps one of the most widely used military benefits for children and spouses of service members, which includes dental care and other coverage (depending on your plan and military status). ...
What is a servicemember opportunity college?
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges: This program makes it easier for service members and their children to complete academic degrees by offering compatible programs at military bases and installations worldwide.
