NATO Policies on Former Spouse Benefits

A former spouse who remarried, but is now unmarried due to death or divorce of the subsequent spouse, can regain access to commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

Unmarried children of a sponsor, enrolled full-time in an accredited institution and dependent on the sponsor for over 50% of their support, are eligible for benefits until they turn 23 or graduate, whichever comes first.

The Personnel Chief or designated SVO/SSM approves or disapproves requests for dependent benefits based on unique circumstances and supporting documentation.

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) has been extended for 180 days to provide assistance to service members transitioning out of the military.

If a child over 21 is incapacitated, they may still be eligible for benefits if the incapacitation began before their 21st birthday.

A service member involuntarily separated from active duty, retained on active duty for a year, a reservist demobilized after 31 days, a sole survivorship discharge recipient, or separating from active duty to join the Selected Reserve is eligible for the Transition Assistance Program (TAP).

Form DD Form 137-5 is used to document and process applications for dependents over 21 who are incapacitated.

The Reserve Active Duty (RAPIDS) program allows eligible service members to apply for a 10-year extension of their active duty contract.

Sponsors and family members retain medical benefits and shopping privileges when the sponsor is AWOL, POW, or MIA.

Eligible dependents of deceased former members who died before age 60 can receive commissary, MWR, and exchange benefits.

Sponsors and family members lose medical benefits and shopping privileges when the sponsor deserts. DEERS entitlements are terminated.

Unmarried children, including stepchildren, legal custody wards, and adopted children, are eligible for MC benefits until they turn 21, unless they marry or join the active military.

To be eligible for commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges, the sponsor must provide over 50% of the dependent's financial support and maintain a household for the child, including foster children.

A former spouse who was married for at least 20 years, has not remarried, and is not enrolled in an insurance plan is eligible for medical services, TRICARE, commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

A former spouse who was married for at least 20 years and has not remarried is entitled to medical services and TRICARE.

A marriage certificate, divorce decree, statement of service, or a complete set of DD Forms 214.

Up to 90 days for a retired member's former spouse, and 30 days for an AD member's former spouse.

A former spouse who qualifies under the 20/20/20 provision and remarries, but becomes unmarried through death or divorce of the subsequent spouse, is eligible for reinstatement of commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges.

The DD Form 1172-2 declares a sponsor's dependent family member's eligibility and enrollment.

A child who is 10 years old or older.

A child who is under 21 years old and is the unmarried child, including a stepchild, legal custody ward, or adopted child of a sponsor.

Military Reserve Component members who are not on active duty for 31 days or more can still be eligible for an ID card as a dependent.

Newborns should be enrolled in DEERS within 30 days of birth.

A placeholder record is created for a newborn's DEERS enrollment for up to 60 days after birth.

A court order establishing a child's relationship to the sponsor is one of the documents required for initial newborn enrollment.

DD Form 137-5 is the form used for the Dependency Statement for Incapacitated Children Over Age 21.

The initial dependency determination application for incapacitated children should be submitted no later than 90 days before the current ID card expiration in DEERS.

Foster children are eligible for commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges but not medical care.

Military members are responsible for reporting any changes to DEERS within 30 days.

A form used to verify continued eligibility for dependents upon ID card reissuance. The sponsor needs to sign this form to update the information about their dependents in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS).

When the sponsor of eligible family members is unable or unwilling to enroll them in DEERS or sign the DD Form 1172-2, the Verification Officer (VO) will contact the sponsor by phone, email, mail, or in person to inform them of the required steps. The VO will also provide a DD Form 1172-2 for the sponsor to sign and return.

The Verification Officer (VO) needs to verify the eligibility of dependents in DEERS or by reviewing documents provided by the sponsor. When a spouse is unable to sign the form due to court order (e.g., no-contact order), the VO will issue an ID card with a new expiration date.

The ID card for a dependent of a sponsor whose marriage is being terminated (divorce) will be issued in one-year increments until a final court order is issued. This ensures ongoing coverage while the divorce process is completed.

Local commanders, or their designated representatives, are responsible for assigning individuals to serve as SSM, SVO, VO/IO/LRA (various roles involved in accessing and managing DEERS and ID card issuance).

To issue Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates for the Common Access Card (CAC), a RAPIDS end-user must be a U.S. citizen. This ensures the security and integrity of the system.

Former spouses of uniformed service members who are eligible for benefits and remain unmarried are enrolled in DEERS under the category designator "DB."

Unremarried former spouses whose divorce occurred after 1988 fall under the 'DB (20-20-15)' category and are eligible for certain benefits, including medical and commissary privileges.

Military Reserve Component members not on active duty for 31 days or more can still be eligible for an ID card as a dependent.

Newborns must be enrolled in DEERS within 30 days of their birth.

A placeholder record is created for a newborn's DEERS enrollment for up to 60 days after birth.

The initial dependency determination application for incapacitated children should be submitted no later than 90 days before the current ID card expiration in DEERS.

Foster children receive commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges, but not medical care.

USID cards reflect an 'indefinite' expiration date for family members 65 years old or older.

Abused dependents are enrolled in DEERS as a sponsor in their own right with the designation 'DB'.

A former spouse who remarried but is now unmarried due to death or divorce of the subsequent spouse can regain commissary, exchange, and MWR privileges if they meet the 20-20-20 qualification requirements.

The Transition Assistance Program (TAP) offers support to service members transitioning from active duty. This program is available for up to 180 days for various categories of separating individuals.

The Reserve Active Duty (RAPIDS) program allows eligible service members to extend their active duty contracts in 10 year increments, providing long-term career opportunities in the military.

Commissary, exchange, and MWR shopping privileges are granted for two years to former service members who meet specific eligibility criteria.

An unmarried child (including stepchildren, legal custody wards, and adopted children) is eligible for medical benefits (MC) until they reach the age of 21. This benefit continues unless they marry or join the active military service.

The sponsor, meaning the active military member, must provide more than 50% of their dependent's financial support and maintain a household for that child. This includes foster children.

The sponsor declares their family member's eligibility and enrollment by signing the DD Form 1172-2. This form is crucial for verifying and documenting the dependent's access to benefits.

To verify eligibility for children under 21, the sponsor must provide a birth certificate. This document confirms the child's identity and relationship to the sponsor.

The Personnel Chief or authorized SVO/SSM reviews and approves or denies dependent benefit requests based on individual circumstances and supporting documentation.

Children's ID cards are issued at age 10. This is the age at which children are considered old enough to have their own identification.

When a sponsor deserts, both the sponsor and their family members lose access to medical benefits and shopping privileges. Their DEERS entitlements are also terminated.

DD Form 1172-2 is used to verify continued eligibility for dependents upon ID card reissuance. The sponsor signs this form to update their dependents' information in DEERS.

When a sponsor is unable or unwilling to enroll eligible dependents in DEERS or sign the DD Form 1172-2, the Verification Officer (VO) notifies them to complete the process. They can contact them by phone, email, mail, or in person.

The VO verifies the dependent's eligibility in DEERS or through provided documentation. If the sponsor is unable to sign due to a court order, the ID card is issued with a new expiration date.

Until a final judgment of divorce is made, dependents' ID cards are issued in one-year increments. This ensures they have continued coverage while the divorce proceedings occur.

Local commanders or their designated representatives assign individuals to roles such as SSM, SVO, VO/IO/LRA, which are responsible for managing DEERS and ID card issuance.

To issue Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificates for the Common Access Card (CAC), individuals using RAPIDS must be U.S. citizens. This helps maintain system security.

Unremarried former spouses are enrolled in DEERS under the category designator "DB." This eligibility can provide access to benefits such as MS, TRICARE, commissary, exchange, and MWR.

Unremarried former spouses whose divorce occurred after 1988 fall under "DB (20-20-15)" and are eligible for medical services and TRICARE. Their ID card expires one year after the divorce date.