Military Adoption Benefits
Adoption can be one of the best gifts a child or family can receive. Deciding to adopt can be a long process for all family members, even more so for military families who travel on a regular basis. The military understands the sacrifices a service member makes for the family. The Department of Defense provides instructions that assist the service member in the adoption process. All service members considering adoption should educate themselves about the benefits available for adoption.
Eligibility
Active duty military must use an authorized state or local agency to utilize the adoption benefit. Service members must put in DD Form 2675, a request for reimbursement, within one year of adoption finalization.
Reimbursements
The Department of Defense instruction 1341.19 states that a service member can be reimbursed up to $2,000 per child or up to $5,000 a year.
Special-Needs Children
The military may provide up to $1,000 a month for an adoptive child with disabilities or special needs. After the adoption is finalized, military members can take advantage of the Exceptional Family Member Program. This program can assist families by ensuring they will be assigned to military destinations that can handle the child's needs.
Medical
Before the adoption is finalized, military members can use their military medical program to cover the adoptive child by applying for the adoptive child to be a Secretary Designee.
Leave
The Department of Defense Instruction 1341.9 encourages commanders to approve leave after the child is placed in the home. Leave is not a mandatory privilege for adoption.
Tags: adoptive child, Department Defense, service member, Adoption Benefits, adoption finalized