Optimizing VA Benefit Utilization

Several new advancements could impact the employment of military service members and their households and companies' compliance obligations in 2026. Changes vary from propositions to increase rewards for working with military spouses to boosted work protections for service members while on responsibility. Military partner job opportunity and support remain a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Expense Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) introduced an updated version of the Improve and Improve the Work Chance Tax Credit Act (S. 3265/H. R. 6231) that would extend the Work Chance Tax Credit (WOTC) to military spouses. The WOTC offers federal tax credits to companies that employ particular "American task candidates who have actually consistently faced barriers to work." That proposed legislation is similar to the Military Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), introduced previously in 2025.

apfsc.org

Regular Movings Frequent movings continue to strain military families and can make it more difficult for employers to employ and maintain military partners. Expanding the WOTC could create new incentives for companies to work with military spouses and tap into this underutilized talent pool.

How to Secure Financial Grants for Veterans

The U.S. Congress has not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, however if it is ultimately enacted, it could result in minimized PCS relocations that might affect recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently provides civilian employment leave securities for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly released for military service.

The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation defenses and allowed complainants declaring USERRA offenses to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' charges. Agencies and courts may continue to translate and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for companies to look for assistance for guaranteeing compliance. The Support and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for employers to request technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or particular issues in their workforce before the start of a DOL/VETS complaint or lawsuit.

Concern actions consist of examining USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, validating health-benefit continuation procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening processes to rapidly catch new rewards for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group combines a team of legal representatives, a number of whom are veterans or currently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who routinely recommend on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate implementation, and examinations and litigation.

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How to Secure Financial Grants for Veterans

Tax day is. Have you submitted with MilTax yet? Whether you're simply getting your documents together, struck a snag or require to apply for an extension, we have actually got your back with complimentary filing software and tax pros ready to help.

For ten years, Employing Our Heroes has actually promoted military spouse work, developing paths to chance and driving systemic modification. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Annual Military Partner Work Summit will honor the legacy of development while charting a strong course for the future. This year's top concentrates on Leadership & Legacy as we recognize the partners, employers, and advocates who have actually changed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in a progressing workforce.

Together, we will build on a decade of service and success to produce a future where military spouses lead with strength, vision, and purpose.

Military partners face one of the most relentless work gaps in the American workforce., military spouse unemployment has actually hovered around 20% or greater in current years.