{"id":353831,"date":"2016-04-04T10:47:11","date_gmt":"2016-04-04T15:47:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/content.findlaw-admin.com\/ability-law\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/military-benefits-for-children-legal-issues-to-know.html"},"modified":"2016-06-20T20:25:06","modified_gmt":"2016-06-21T01:25:06","slug":"military-benefits-for-children-legal-issues-to-know","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.findlaw.com\/military\/administrative-issues-benefits\/military-benefits-for-children-legal-issues-to-know.html","title":{"rendered":"Military Benefits for Children: Legal Issues to Know"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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Military Benefits for Children: Legal Issues to Know<\/h1>\n
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Created by FindLaw’s team<\/a> of legal writers and editors<\/i><\/p>\n\n | Last updated\n

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The last updated date refers to the last time this article was reviewed by FindLaw or one of our contributing authors<\/a>. We make every effort to keep our articles updated. For information regarding a specific legal issue affecting you, please contact an attorney in your area<\/a>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/details>\n<\/section>\n

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The children of U.S. military service members are eligible for a number of benefits including education benefits, health insurance, and survivor benefits. However, these benefits are contractually tied to your service obligation.<\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n\n

 If you\u2019re dishonorably discharged or receive a bad conduct discharge, for example, you (and your family members) can lose virtually all of your benefits.<\/p>\r\n

This article highlights five important military benefits for children, with links to government resources to help you take advantage of them. Visit FindLaw’s Military Law<\/a> section for related articles and resources.<\/p>\r\n

GI Bill Transferability<\/h2>\r\n

Most people are aware of the "GI Bill," a popular education benefit available to military service members. But did you know that unused education benefits may be transferred<\/a> to immediate family members? It’s part of what has been called the "Post-9\/11 GI Bill<\/a>."<\/p>\r\n

In order to qualify for this benefit, which applies to officers and enlisted service members, you must have had at least six years of service (active or reserve) and be obligated to serve at least four additional years. For example, an enlisted woman who has served seven years and is committed for another five years, may transfer her unused GI Bill benefits to her child. If you\u2019re prevented from serving another four years by policy or statute, you can still qualify if you\u2019ve served at least ten years and serve whatever time is left available to you under policy or statute. Keep in mind that only education benefits that you don\u2019t use for yourself may be transferred.<\/p>\r\n

See the Veterans’ Online Application<\/a> to apply remotely. Download the Dept. of Veteran Affair’s Application for Family Member to Use Transferred Benefits<\/a> (PDF) to apply through the U.S. mail.<\/p>\r\n

Education Assistance Programs<\/h2>\r\n

Various education programs are available to immediate family members of service members in all five military branches (Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, Coast Guard). These include programs that ease the burdens on families that frequently relocate as well as grants and scholarship programs. Examples include:<\/p>\r\n