Military Spouse Benefits: A Complete Guide

Quick Summary

• Military spouses are eligible for TRICARE health insurance, including medical, dental, vision, and mental health services — plus support through Military OneSource counseling.
• Career and education resources like the MyCAA scholarship, Military Spouse Preference (MSP) for federal jobs, SECO career coaching, and license transfer reimbursements make it easier to work and study while moving between duty stations.
• Financial benefits include commissary and exchange shopping, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), childcare assistance programs, and emergency financial aid from military relief organizations.
• PCS relocation benefits, deployment support programs, and Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) help spouses navigate moves, stay connected, and maintain stability in military life.

Life as a military spouse has its own unique challenges. You’re often relocated, left to manage the home front when your partner is deployed, and must cope with separation. It can be emotionally stressful at times. Your path demands resilience and adaptability, but you prove that you’re up for it with every new challenge that comes your way. Even on hard days, you have a wide network of support. The benefits available to you as a spouse of a service member can help you build a meaningful, stable, rewarding life for your family.  

If you’re looking for a comprehensive and easy-to-understand guide that clearly outlines military spouse benefits, keep reading. We’re sharing the benefits for military spouses across all stages of service. From healthcare coverage to career support, childcare, and mental health services, we’re walking you through how to make the most of the benefits you and your family have earned. 

Healthcare Benefits for Military Spouses

Your healthcare is provided through TRICARE, the primary healthcare program for military personnel, military spouses, and families. After your spouse adds you to their record in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS), you are eligible for TRICARE coverage. Coverage applies whether your spouse is on active duty, in the National Guard, or in the Reserve, and it continues through major transitions like separation or retirement.

It’s important to note that eligibility and coverage options are tied to your spouse’s status on some level. Leaving active duty, retiring, or moving from active to Guard/Reserve status can affect your coverage, eligibility, and costs for some care and programs.

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

TRICARE covers most medically necessary care needs. Comprehensive coverage includes both inpatient and outpatient procedures, so you can rest assured that you’ll have the support you need for things like:

• Doctor visits
• Hospital stays
• Prescription medication
• Preventative screenings 
• Emergency care
• Immunizations
• Maternity and newborn care
• Lab tests
• Imaging
• Surgery (inpatient and outpatient)
• Mental healthcare services
• Physical therapy
• Rehabilitative care
• Medical equipment like crutches or CPAP machines

TRICARE also covers dental care through either the TRICARE Dental Program (TDP) or (in some cases) the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program.

Mental health services covered by TRICARE and Military OneSource

Military life can be taxing on your mental and emotional well-being. Whether you’re trying to cope with your spouse on deployment during a long stretch apart or managing all the household responsibilities on your own, it can be a lonely and stressful experience. TRICARE offers access to tailored military mental health services like therapy, counseling, and medication management. 

Military OneSource also makes mental healthcare accessible by providing confidential, non-medical counseling and support. It ensures that you and your family have access to specialized resources, including relationship counseling, parenting resources, coping with different types of grief, and mental health support for children aged 6 to 17.

Education and Career Support

If you’re frequently relocating, it can feel impossible to keep your career on track or complete your education. That’s why the military created education benefits and career support resources specifically for military spouses, so you don’t have to put your career or educational goals on hold for your partner’s military career.

MyCAA Scholarship program

The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) scholarship program helps you build new skills or earn a certification. As the spouse of an active-duty service member (E-1 through E-9, W-1 through W-3, O-1 through O-3), you may be eligible for up to $4,000 in financial assistance for things like:

• Licenses
• Certifications
• An associate’s degree in high-demand fields

If you’re married to a National Guard or Reserve member on Title 10 orders, you might also qualify for assistance. 

Military Spouse Preference (MSP) for federal jobs

The Military Spouse Preference (MSP) program was established to ensure spouses of service members can apply and be hired for federal jobs in a non-competitive environment. MSP programs make federal employment for spouses possible, even if you’re new to an area. It allows you to build a career with federal benefits and maintain a sense of stability, without the stress and worry of where you might be stationed next or how your employment will be affected as a result.

Career counseling and job search assistance

The Spouse Education and Career Opportunities (SECO) program provides free career coaching and resume help for military spouses. You’ll receive personalized assistance with education planning and job searches designed specifically for military life. For example, if you need to change careers because you’ve recently moved or you’re trying to re-enter the workforce after a long deployment, certified SECO coaches are there to help.

Licensing portability and credential transfer

Being forced to requalify for your job every time you make a big move can be incredibly frustrating. Recent legislative changes mean that the military now reimburses you up to $1000 if you’re forced to update your professional license or certification because of a Permanent Change of Station (PCS).

If you’re a teacher, nurse, or work in another licensed field, and you’re struggling with credential transfers, reach out to Military OneSource for help. You can also contact your base legal office.

Financial and Daily Life Benefits

Military life is anything but ordinary. Available benefits can help you find stability and save money. This can be especially helpful when dealing with changes due to relocation or deployment.

Commissary and exchange access

Save money by shopping at the commissary and exchanges located on your military base. Military spouses have full access to these facilities with a valid military ID, so you can save on everything from groceries to household items and more, often without having to pay sales tax. 

Housing allowances (BAH)

For families living off base, the Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) provides financial support. How much you receive depends on several factors, like your spouse’s rank, where you live, and if you have any children or dependents. BAH typically covers most, if not all, of your rent and utilities, allowing you to enjoy a nice living space.

Childcare assistance programs

Finding childcare that you’re comfortable with can be difficult when you live far from extended family. Military Child Development Centers (CDCs) are on-base childcare facilities that are safe, reliable, and often more affordable than off-base options. Considering how to prepare your children for deployment can put a lot on your plate, so opting for CDCs rather than coordinating childcare in a new place may ease some of this stress.

If you choose not to use a CDC for childcare, fee assistance programs can help pay for approved off-base childcare. 

Emergency financial aid resources

Even if you carefully plan and stick to your budget, unexpected expenses are bound to come up from time to time. That’s when you might benefit from organizations like the Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society or Army Emergency Relief. They provide military families with access to emergency funds, interest-free loans, grants, and more. 

Morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) programs

Morale, welfare, and recreation (MWR) programs provide you and your family access to fitness centers, swimming pools, libraries, and recreational activities at free or heavily discounted rates. They help you connect with others and create healthy, fulfilling routines on base.

Relocation and Deployment Support

Relocation and deployment support can help with your next PCS move or deployment. This benefit assists with the logistical and sometimes emotional challenges that come with the military lifestyle. 

PCS Move benefits and allowances

With every relocation, you may be eligible for benefits like travel reimbursement and help with shipping your belongings. Sometimes you’re offered a Dislocation Allowance (DLA), which can help offset the cost of your move. 

As soon as you know a move is in your future, coordinate with your installation’s transportation or relocation office. These resources were developed to help military families navigate paperwork, claims, and the timeline for their move.

Deployment support programs and Family Readiness Groups (FRGs)

Family Readiness Groups (FRGs) and other spouse networks can be a lifeline when your spouse is deployed. These groups offer communication and emotional support, and direct access to official updates, offering help as you navigate the emotional ups and downs of being separated.

“Moving a lot and going through deployments can be really tough on marriages. It helps when couples work together as a team and talk things through. Making routines early on and checking in with each other, even for just a few minutes, can make a big difference. Little things like writing letters or discussing future plans help couples stay close. It’s also important to know that feeling stressed is totally normal and doesn’t mean something’s wrong. Staying strong as a couple means being honest, making time for each other, and showing you care, even in small ways.”

– Talkspace therapist Famous Erwin LMHC, LPC

FAQs About Military Spouse Benefits

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about military wife and husband benefits.

How long do you have to be married to get your spouse’s military benefits?

There generally isn’t a long waiting period before the benefits of military spouses kick in. This means you’re eligible for healthcare and other benefits as soon as your marriage is official and you’ve been added to the DEERS. 

Note that some benefits may have different requirements.

Do military wives get free healthcare? 

Military spouses often pay little to nothing for TRICARE coverage. However, some plans may include co-pays or annual fees. Costs vary and depend on your chosen plan and spouse’s status.

Can military spouses go to college for free?

Although college typically isn’t free for military spouses, there are programs (like the MyCAA and military scholarships) that can help with a large portion of the cost to earn an associate degree, certification, or licensure.

Mental Health Support Covered by TRICARE

Military stress can be mental and emotional, especially for spouses. Frequent moves and deployments, solo parenting, and constant worry about your spouse’s safety can take an emotional toll. To cope with the stress, you can take advantage of the many benefits for military spouses.

“Military life can be really tough on spouses. Things like moving all the time, not knowing what’s coming next, and being apart from their partner for long periods can make them feel stressed, anxious, and even physically sick. They might have trouble sleeping or focusing because they’re always worrying either about where they’ll end up next or if their partner is safe. Having to start over again and again can make them feel like they’ve lost who they are. It’s hard to keep jobs or make new friends every time they move, and that can get really lonely. Some spouses feel so worn out that they get sad or even depressed, especially when they’re doing everything on their own like parenting, working, and running the house.”

– Talkspace therapist Famous Erwin LMHC, LPC

TRICARE’s mental health coverage ensures you have access to a range of essential services. You can schedule outpatient therapy, inpatient care, online or telehealth appointments, or get help with medication management. You can choose to seek care on or off base, and you can even find a provider with experience working with military families. 

Talkspace offers convenient, confidential online therapy that takes TRICARE. With secure online access to therapy, you can get the help you need from the comfort of your home. Whether you’re looking for guidance, coping skills, or help managing your mental health, Talkspace can lighten your load. 

Find out more about online therapy from Talkspace.

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