Optimizing VA Benefit Utilization

Numerous brand-new developments might affect the employment of military service members and their households and employers' compliance commitments in 2026. Modifications range from propositions to increase rewards for employing military partners to enhanced work defenses for service members while on task. Military spouse work opportunities and support stay 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) presented 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 supplies federal tax credits to employers that hire certain "American job candidates who have actually consistently faced barriers to employment." That proposed legislation is similar to the Military Partner Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), presented earlier in 2025.

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Frequent Movings Frequent relocations continue to strain military households and can make it more tough for companies to hire and keep military partners. Expanding the WOTC might produce brand-new incentives for employers to employ military spouses and take advantage of this underutilized skill pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Throughout Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), presented in November 2025, seeks to restrict movings of active-duty servicemembers.

What Are the Best Financial Paths for Spouses ?

The U.S. Congress has actually not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is eventually enacted, it could lead to reduced PCS relocations that might affect recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military spouses. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently provides civilian work leave securities for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly deployed for military service.

The Dole Act boosted anti-retaliation securities and enabled plaintiffs alleging USERRA offenses to look for minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' charges. Agencies and courts may continue to analyze and apply the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for employers to look for guidance for making sure compliance. The Support and Help for Leaders in USERRA Training and Work (SALUTE) program is a chance for employers to request technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or particular problems in their workforce before the beginning of a DOL/VETS complaint or suit.

Concern actions include examining USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, validating health-benefit continuation procedures, and aligning hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to rapidly catch brand-new rewards for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' new Military Labor force Practice Group combines a group of attorneys, much of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who routinely recommend on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate execution, and investigations and lawsuits.

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What Are the Employment Options for Veterans?

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For 10 years, Employing Our Heroes has promoted military partner employment, developing paths to chance and driving systemic change. As we celebrate this milestone, the 10th Yearly Military Spouse Work Summit will honor the tradition of progress while charting a bold course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Leadership & Tradition as we acknowledge the partners, companies, and advocates who have transformed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to flourish in an evolving workforce.

Together, we will build on a decade of service and success to create a future where military partners lead with strength, vision, and function.

Military spouses deal with one of the most consistent employment gaps in the American workforce., military partner unemployment has hovered around 20% or greater in current years.