For Military Family Members
For parents, adult children, siblings, in-laws, and other family supporting a service member or veteran through their transition. The military system is opaque on purpose — but the more you know, the better you can help.
Are you a military spouse? The spouse hub has career resources specific to you (license portability, MyCAA, federal hiring preference). This page is for non-spouse family.
What you can actually do
Know what they should be doing — and when
Most service members within 12 months of separation are already late on something. The biggest miss: VA disability claims must be filed BEFORE separation for back-pay benefits. The Start Here roadmap is the 12-month sequence of paperwork, deadlines, and applications that get forgotten in the chaos.
Start Here roadmap →Help them research where to land
The choice of where to settle post-separation can be worth tens of thousands a year. State property tax exemptions for service-connected veterans vary 10x. Some states fully exempt 100%-rated vets; others give nothing. Healthcare access (VA facilities, civilian alternatives), employment preferences, and cost of living all matter.
Compare 50 state veteran benefits →Understand what they've earned
Disability ratings, OTH discharges, character of discharge determinations, VA priority groups, the GI Bill, SBP — these are complicated topics, and a lot of service members don't bring them up at home. Plain-language explainers can help you ask informed questions or advocate for them when they're overwhelmed.
VA Benefits Library →Be there for the parts they won't talk about
Transition is one of the most stressful periods in a service member's life — financially, identity-wise, medically. The Veterans Crisis Line (988, Press 1) is open to anyone who served, regardless of discharge status. Vet Centers offer free confidential family counseling. You don't have to be a clinician to make a difference, but knowing the resources helps.
Vet Centers explained →If you're worried about them right now
Veterans Crisis Line is open to anyone who served — regardless of discharge status, regardless of whether they're enrolled in VA care. You can also call as a family member to talk through how to help.
- Veterans Crisis Line: 988 then Press 1 · text 838255 · veteranscrisisline.net
- Vet Center Call Center: 1-877-927-8387 · 24/7, staffed by combat veterans
- Caregiver Support Line: 1-855-260-3274
- Coaching Into Care (helps families talk to a veteran about getting help): 1-888-823-8255
Benefits that family members may qualify for
Most VA benefits flow to the veteran, but several extend to family members directly. Worth knowing whether any apply to your situation.
Caregiver benefits (PCAFC) for severely disabled veterans
If your service member or veteran has a severe service-connected disability that requires daily care, you may qualify as a caregiver under the VA's Program of Comprehensive Assistance for Family Caregivers — monthly stipend, training, mental health support, respite care.
CHAMPVA — health insurance for dependents of P&T veterans
Family members of permanently and totally disabled veterans qualify for CHAMPVA, VA-funded health coverage. Often pairs well with the PCAFC stipend.
Surviving spouse benefits (DIC, education, home loan)
Surviving spouses of veterans who died in service or from a service-connected disability qualify for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation, education benefits, and continued VA home loan eligibility.
GI Bill transferability
Active-duty service members can transfer Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to dependents — but only if they commit to additional service before the transfer. Time-sensitive decision.
Spouse-specific career resources
If you're the service member's spouse (not just family/dependent), MyCAA, license portability, and federal hiring preference apply specifically to you. Different track from this page.
Tools that work even when you're advocating for someone else
All of these are free, no signup required. Use them to research, estimate, or prep for conversations with your service member.
VA Combined Rating Calculator
Estimate combined rating from individual ratings
VA Priority Group Estimator
Which group their care will fall into
VA Funding Fee Calculator
For when they buy a home — automatic waiver if SC-rated
VGLI Conversion Countdown
240-day deadline for life-insurance conversion at separation
State Benefits Comparison
Where they should think about settling
OTH Discharge Eligibility Matrix
For OTH-discharged veterans — what care/benefits they can still pursue
Deep reads for family supporters
How to Support a Service Member's Transition: A Family Guide
The complete guide for parents, siblings, and adult children. What to do at each stage of the transition timeline, how to bring up VA claims without nagging, and the emotional realities to expect.
VA Benefits Family Members Should Know About (Even If They're Not Eligible)
You don't need to be the veteran to know how the system works. Walks through disability comp, GI Bill, VA home loan, healthcare, life insurance, and adapted housing — what they are, who qualifies, and how to help your service member apply.
When Your Service Member Won't Talk About Their VA Claim
Why some veterans avoid filing. The classic mistakes (waiting until after separation, not getting nexus statements, skipping C&P prep). What you can do without overstepping.
What this hub is NOT
- •Not legal advice. Talk to an accredited VSO (DAV, AmVets, VFW) for the actual claims work. They're free.
- •Not a substitute for the veteran filing. Family members can't file a VA claim on a veteran's behalf without a power of attorney. You can help them prepare; they have to sign.
- •Not private therapy. If you're struggling with the transition emotionally, the Coaching Into Care line (1-888-823-8255) exists specifically for family members of veterans navigating mental-health concerns.