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Military Benefits

VA Home Loan Servicing Purchase Program Ends

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that it will end the Veterans Affairs Servicing Purchase program (VASP) on May 1, 2025. The program, which opened in late May 2024, was intended as a rescue program to assist veterans with VA home loans facing foreclosure after the end of COVID-19 mortgage forbearance programs. Veterans… Read more »

Upwards Military Child Care Assistance

If you’re in the Army Reserve or National Guard and are a parent, you know that finding quality, affordable child care can sometimes seem impossible. That’s where a program like Upwards steps in—its military child care assistance program helps ease this burden by covering child care costs during eligible training periods. What is Upwards Child… Read more »

DoD Memo Clarifies Overseas Military Spouse Employment

A Department of Defense memo clarifies an old point of contention for military spouses stationed overseas. The memo’s most important detail? Host nation Status of Forces Agreements do not inherently prohibit military spouse employment in a foreign country, but a past lack of specific guidance made the rules unclear. The memo addresses this amiguity. MilitaryOneSource… Read more »

Healthcare Flexible Spending Accounts for Active Duty

The DoD has begun offering an additional benefit for service members: the Health Care Flexible Spending Account (HCFSA). The active duty Flexible Spending Account program allows troops to set aside $3,300 of their pre-tax income annually for eligible health, dental, and vision expenses. Learn more.

Do I Have to Buy My Own Uniform in the Military?

When you ship out to Basic Training, do you have to buy your own uniform? The short answer is yes and no. Yes, trainees must purchase their initial set of uniforms in basic training. No, they aren’t asked to pay out of pocket. Instead, the DoD provides an Initial Clothing Allowance meant to cover the… Read more »

How Well Do You Know Your Military Benefits?

If you’re reading this, you are likely familiar with standard military benefits like healthcare and the GI Bill. But many lesser-known veteran benefits are designed to support service members and families. Take our quiz and test your understanding of these often-overlooked benefits, from financial protections to wellness programs. You may learn about a resource or… Read more »

VA Secretary on Veteran Benefits Cuts

The Secretary of Veterans Affairs is trying to reassure veterans that their benefits are not being cut. This comes in the wake of concerns raised in the veteran community over firings, possible benefits cuts, and privacy issues related to a 2025 push to eliminate what some believe to be wasteful government spending. And those concerns… Read more »

Time is Running Out: TRICARE Online Patient Portal Deactivation

UPDATE: Time is running out for veterans and family members to download their legacy medical records from the old TRICARE system before it is deactivated in favor of the DoD’s replacement, MHS GENESIS. If you have electronic medical records in the TRICARE system you must download them by 1 April 2025 to avoid losing access… Read more »

Military Benefits for New Recruits

What can new recruits expect when they enlist in the US military? They will receive basic pay, healthcare, money for college, and other incentives and benefits. Learn more.

image courtesy DVIDS

Kroger Returns to TRICARE

Kroger Pharmacies have rejoined the TRICARE Pharmacy Program network in 2025, adding more than two thousand network pharmacies in the TRICARE system across 35 states. The re-expanded network comes after a conflict between Kroger and TRICARE. In late 2022, the Air Force issued a press release noting that Kroger’s departure was due to “changes to… Read more »