11 Overlooked Military Benefits for Service Members

Military pay is easy to spot on a leave and earnings statement. Other benefits are buried inside service portals, application windows and programs known mainly by acronyms.

The Pentagon launched a yearlong compensation education campaign in June after acknowledging that many service members do not fully understand the pay, tax advantages, education programs and family support included with military service. That lack of awareness can leave money and assistance unused.

The Defense Department does not publish a single ranking of its least-used benefits. The programs below were selected because they are relatively new, require an application or include deadlines that can make them easy to miss. Eligibility varies by service, component and individual circumstances.

1. Basic Needs Allowance

Military families with lower household incomes may qualify for an additional monthly payment through the Basic Needs Allowance.

Eligibility depends on household income, family size and duty location. A service member may qualify when the household’s gross income from the previous calendar year falls below 200% of the applicable federal poverty guideline.

The military services screen members and notify those who may be eligible, but members should also contact their installation’s military and family support center or personal financial counselor if their household income has changed.

2. Family Separation Allowance

Service members separated from their dependents by military orders may qualify for an additional $300 per month.

The allowance can apply when dependents are not authorized to accompany a member to a permanent duty station, when a member serves aboard a ship away from home port for more than 30 continuous days or when temporary duty separates the member from dependents for more than 30 days.

Members must complete DD Form 1561 to document their eligibility. The payment can be made in addition to other allowances or per diem.

3. Blended Retirement System Continuation Pay

Continuation pay is a one-time mid-career bonus for eligible members enrolled in the Blended Retirement System.

Members receive the payment in exchange for agreeing to serve an additional period, commonly four years. Each military service sets its eligibility window and payment multiplier, so the deadline and amount can differ.

For example, the Army changed its rules in 2026 to open eligibility at seven years of service. Active-component and Active Guard and Reserve soldiers receive 2.5 times their monthly basic pay under the current Army policy. Missing the service’s application window can mean losing the payment.

4. A Deployment Savings Account Paying 10% Interest

Eligible deployed service members can earn 10% annual interest through the Defense Department’s Savings Deposit Program.

Members serving in designated combat zones or certain hazardous-duty areas can deposit money from their current pay after meeting the program’s time requirements. Interest compounds monthly and is paid quarterly on balances of up to $10,000.

A member generally becomes eligible after serving in a covered area for at least 30 consecutive days. Deposits can be arranged through a military finance office or payroll allotment, depending on the location and service.

5. Health and Dependent Care Flexible Spending Accounts

Eligible service members can use pretax income for medical expenses and dependent care through two federal flexible spending accounts.

For 2026, a Health Care Flexible Spending Account permits contributions of up to $3,400. Money can cover eligible dental work, glasses, contact lenses, copays, over-the-counter products and other expenses that TRICARE or another plan does not pay. Members who reenroll can carry up to $680 into the next plan year.

The 2026 Dependent Care FSA limit is $7,500 per household, or $3,750 for married members filing separately. Eligible expenses include day care, preschool, summer day camp, before and after-school care, and care for a dependent who cannot care for themselves. Unlike the health account, unused dependent care funds can be forfeited, so families should estimate expenses carefully.

Enrollment normally occurs during federal benefits open season. A PCS, marriage, deployment or birth of a child may permit enrollment outside that window.

6. Civilian Credentials Paid Through COOL

The military’s Credentialing Opportunities On-Line programs help members turn military training into civilian licenses and certifications.

Members can search their branch’s COOL portal using their military occupation, rating or specialty. Depending on the service and credential, available funding may cover preparation courses, testing fees or credential maintenance.

Army Credentialing Assistance currently provides up to $2,000 per fiscal year, while Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force and Coast Guard programs follow their own funding rules. Members should receive approval before paying because programs generally do not reimburse unauthorized out-of-pocket expenses.

7. Transferring the Post-9/11 GI Bill Before Leaving Service

Qualified service members can transfer up to 36 months of unused Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits to a spouse or dependent children.

The timing matters. A member generally must request the transfer through milConnect while serving on active duty or in the Selected Reserve. The standard requirements include at least six years of service, an agreement to serve four more years, and enrollment of the dependent in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System.

A veteran who waits until after leaving the military generally cannot begin a new transfer. Members can adjust previously transferred months later, but at least one month should be assigned to an eligible dependent before separation.

8. Up to $4,000 for a Military Spouse’s Education

The SpouseWorks Scholarship, formerly known as MyCAA, provides eligible military spouses with up to $4,000 for education and career training.

The funding can pay for an associate degree, professional license, certification or continuing education needed to maintain a credential. The program is open across ranks to qualifying spouses of active-duty, National Guard and reserve members serving under eligible Title 10 orders.

Spouses can verify eligibility through the SpouseWorks Scholarship portal or contact a career coach through Military OneSource.

Credit: (U.S. Army Photo by Kari Hawkins, via DVIDS)

9. Up to $1,000 for a Spouse’s License After a PCS

A PCS can force a military spouse to pay for a new professional license or certification in another state.

The service branches may reimburse up to $1,000 when a spouse moves under PCS orders and pursues the same profession at the new location. Covered expenses and application procedures vary by branch.

The reimbursement is separate from state efforts to recognize out-of-state licenses, so spouses should check both the new state’s licensing rules and their service’s reimbursement process.

10. Free Help From a Military Attorney

Installation legal offices can help eligible service members and families with many personal legal matters at no cost.

Services can include wills, powers of attorney, lease reviews, notary services, consumer disputes and advice involving the Service members Civil Relief Act. Offices may also provide guidance on adoption, divorce, child custody, immigration and special-needs planning.

The scope of representation varies, and legal assistance attorneys may not be able to appear in civilian court. Military OneSource maintains a locator for finding the nearest office.

11. Free TSA PreCheck for Military Members

Uniformed service members can use TSA PreCheck without paying an enrollment fee.

Members enter the Defense Department identification number from their Common Access Card in the Known Traveler Number field when booking official or personal travel. The name on the reservation should match the member’s military identification.

Adult dependents generally do not receive the benefit automatically, although younger children may accompany an eligible parent under TSA rules.

These benefits come with different eligibility rules, deadlines and service-specific procedures. A military finance office, installation family support center or Military OneSource can help members determine which programs apply before another application window quietly clicks shut.