MilitarySpot.com

Serving the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Coast Guard and National Guard

Online Schools
| Find Jobs
Follow MilitarySpot:
 
  • Home
  • Enlist
    • Join The Army
    • Join The Navy
    • Join The Air Force
    • Join The Marines
    • Join The Coast Guard
    • Join The National Guard
    • ASVAB
    • Army Physical Fitness Test
    • Military Draft
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
  • Career
    • Join the Military
    • Jobs for Military and Civilians
    • Career Center
    • Prior Service Army Enlistment
    • Criminal Justice
  • Education
    • Online Schools
    • Spouse Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
    • Military Schools
    • Criminal Justice
  • Benefits
    • Army Benefits
    • Navy Benefits
    • Air Force Benefits
    • Marine Corps Benefits
    • National Guard Benefits
    • Coast Guard Benefits
    • Veteran Benefits
    • Basic Pay Rates
    • Allowances
    • Special & Incentive Pay
    • Military Spouse Education Benefits
    • VA Education Benefits
    • GI Bill
  • News
    • Headline News
  • Finance
    • Debt Relief
    • Military Pay Rates
    • Military Personal Loans
    • VA Loans
    • Military Star Card
    • Military MyPay
  • Spouses
    • School Finder
    • Scholarships & Grants
    • PCS, DITY, & Moving
    • Pay Rates
    • MyCAA
    • Education Benefits
  • Community
    • Military Games
    • Military Reunions
    • Classifieds
    • Photo Gallery
    • Buddy Finder
    • MilitarySpot Pinups
    • Military Bases
  • Resources
    • Military Alphabet
    • Military Reunions
    • Military Acronyms
    • Currency Converter
    • Military Tools
    • Ranks
    • Military Time
    • Military Tactics
    • Military Discounts
    • Military Games
    • Military Videos
    • Photo Gallery
    • Infographics
    • How To
  • Travel

Children, New and Former Spouses Entitled to Air Force Benefits

Benefits can be confusing, especially if you are newly married, freshly divorced, have dependent children or children born out of wedlock. You may still be entitled to military benefits so you need to know what proper steps to take to ensure your dependents receive the proper coverage.

Some family situations are complicated or even awkward, so Airmen may be reluctant to pursue benefits to which their dependents – or former dependents – are legally entitled, said Ed Yoder, AFPC Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System Project office.

“Responsibility and accountability are deeply held values for Airmen, but securing dependent benefits can seem daunting and often Airmen aren’t sure what to do or who to ask for help,” Yoder said. “AFPC and local military personnel sections are here to help people figure out what their benefits are and how to get them.”

Routinely, new Airmen wait far too long to secure benefits for their dependents, which can be a problem, he said.

“We have a number of basic training members, ROTC graduates and Academy cadets who marry and don’t have the first idea what to do to make sure their dependents are covered. If you wait until you arrive at technical school or your first duty station, your new spouse or child won’t have the coverage they’re entitled to,” said Yoder.

The first thing an Airman should do when he or she has a new dependent is contact the local military personnel section to enroll the family member in DEERS and get dependent identification cards.

“Until they’re in DEERS and have their ID cards, your dependents won’t have access to medical care or any base support and service programs,” said Yoder. “So do that first and do it immediately. After they’re enrolled, you can make changes and updates online, but initial enrollment must be in person.”

Less common situations can be uncomfortable, but non-traditional dependents – like children of divorced members, children born out of wedlock and some former spouses – also have a right to certain benefits.

“Some situations can be sensitive, yet need to be talked about. Marriage, divorce, having babies, aging parents, sickness and infirmity, these are all important issues and people need to know what their options are.”

Following a divorce, an Airman’s dependent children have a right to benefits, even if they live with a non-military parent, and children born out of wedlock also have a right to dependent benefits, Yoder explained. The process of securing them is different, though. Following divorce, most Airmen will be able to update DEERS status online, but enrolling a child born out of wedlock will take an in-person visit to the MPS after legal documents have been accomplished.

In addition, some former spouses may be entitled to an ID card and DEERS enrollment.

“If a member divorces, his or her spouse may be eligible for continued benefits, but there are very specific eligibility requirements,” Yoder said.

The member must have at least 20 years of service. The marriage must have lasted at least 20 years, and 15 to 20 years of that marriage must have been during the Airman’s active duty service. If those criteria apply, the member can submit a request for former spouse determination.

“Taking care of dependents is a personal and professional responsibility. Airmen who are worried about family situations cannot fully focus on their mission,” Yoder said. “The military personnel system is here to help Airmen take care of their families. We have developed detailed information and guidance, and every MPS has professionals in place ready to help as well. But Airmen have to take the first step.”

Detailed guidance on a host of dependent benefits programs and situations is available on the myPers website. Go to https://mypers.af.mil, select “search all components” in the drop down menu, and enter “dependent entitlements” in the search window.

Related Posts:

  • Online Access Simplifies Dependent UpdatesOnline Access Simplifies Dependent Updates
  • DEERS Locks Down Access to Some Information UpdatesDEERS Locks Down Access to Some Information Updates
  • Enrolling in DEERSEnrolling in DEERS
  • Guard Members to See Changes in GI Bill Transfer BenefitsGuard Members to See Changes in GI Bill Transfer Benefits
  • Same-Sex Spouses Can Get ID Cards Sept. 3Same-Sex Spouses Can Get ID Cards Sept. 3
  • Dental Insurance for MilitaryDental Insurance for Military

Comments

Filed Under: Air Force, Benefits, News, Resources

  • News
  • Enlist
  • Education
  • Career
  • Finance

Remembering Pearl Harbor Attack: Diego Garcia Takes Pause on the 78th Anniversary

DECEMBER 6, 2019 – U.S. and British service members, civilians and contractors on board U.S. Navy Support Facility (NSF) Diego Garcia gathered in front of the headquarters building, Dec. 6, to honor those fallen during the Pearl Harbor attack. This year marks the 78th anniversary of the December 7, 1941, attack on Pearl Harbor that […]

Answers to Top Questions About ACFT Equipment Fielding

OCTOBER 14, 2019 – As Army Soldiers start preparing for the new Army Combat Fitness Test, behind the scenes Army logisticians are also preparing to distribute more than 36,000 equipment sets to conduct the new test. At a recent Facebook Live event, watched by more than 150,000 viewers, Sergeant Major of the Army Michael Grinston […]

USS Dwight D. Eisenhower Sailors Get College Ready

NOVEMBER 25, 2019 – Sailors assigned to the aircraft carrier USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69)(Ike) welcomed representatives from approximately 25 colleges and universities to talk to the crew during Ike’s college fair Nov. 14. This event was sponsored by the ship’s educational services office (ESO) and held in Ike’s hangar bay. Sailors were given […]

Why I am Getting Out of the Air Force

DECEMBER 6, 2017 – When I first signed my name on the dotted line to serve my country, I had all these crazy, outlandish ideas of what I thought my Air Force experience was going to be. Well, spoiler alert, they didn’t come to fruition, but what I got was a million times better than […]

Air Force Releases FY20 Selective Retention Bonus Program

NOVEMBER 21, 2019 – Air Force officials released details Nov. 20 on the fiscal year 2020 Selective Retention Bonus program, which includes 72 eligible Air Force specialties. “The Air Force works hard to retain our highly trained and experienced Airmen and the annual Selective Retention Bonus program is a key element in that effort,” said […]

Recent Posts

  • Remembering Pearl Harbor Attack: Diego Garcia Takes Pause on the 78th Anniversary
  • Admiral Gilday Releases Guidance to the Fleet
  • Why I am Getting Out of the Air Force
  • No Plans to Leave Iraq, Defense Official Says
  • Army-Navy Uniform Tells Story of Army Division
MAINMENU


SITESEARCH
Can't find something? Try using our site search to dig through our entire site.



Still having trouble? Try the Advanced Search to refine your searches.
NEWSLETTERSUBSCRIBE
Sign Up To Receive Information, Updates and Special Officers from MilitarySpot.com.



Don't miss an issue! Jump in the Newsletter Archives to catch up on previous issues.
FOLLOWMILITARY SPOT

Follow us on Facebook, Twitter & StumbleUpon and more. Keep up with MilitarySpot.com news & updates. We also have an RSS Feed.

Advertise | About | Contact | Feedback | Unsubscribe | DMCA | Privacy Policy | Terms of Use
 
Copyright 2004-2019 Sun Key Publishing. All Rights Reserved.



 
This is not the official recruiting website of the U.S. Military. The site you are on is run by Sun Key Publishing, a private company, and is not endorsed by or affiliated with the U.S. Military.