National Resources for Military Personnel and their Families

Military One Source is a comprehensive resource that provides extensive information on family life, deployment, and benefits as well as three types of short-term, non-medical counseling services for active-duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families through face-to-face, telephone, and online consultations. You can also find Army resources here. If you would like to contact a Military OneSource consultant for assistance with a particular issue, call 800-342-9647 or visit the website.

The National Resource Directory (NRD) is a resource database that connects Wounded Warriors, Service Members, Veterans, their families, and caregivers to programs and services that support them. It provides access to services and resources at the national, state, and local levels to support recovery, rehabilitation, and community reintegration.   For help finding resources on the site, visit the How to Use this Site section of their website. 

Military OneSource’s MilTax offers a secure and free tax for service members, including members of the National Guard and reserves, immediate family members, and eligible survivors. Learn more about this service.

Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs are offered by the branches of the miliary. These programs provide a network of support and leisure services designed to enhance the lives of active service members and veterans. Learn more about the Morale, Welfare, and Recreation programs available to the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Cost Guard.

Military Child Care in Your Neighborhood (MCCYN) is a fee assistance program for military families who cannot access installation-based child care due to distance or waitlists. A portion of childcare costs will be offset by this program. Each branch of the military has its own MCCYN program. Learn more about the MCCYN available to the Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy, and Cost Guard. 

In an effort to help military families in need of care, KinderCare offers reduced tuition rates for eligible active-duty military families and a solution to address their child care needs when care at an on-base Child Development Center is not available

Housing assistance is provided to military families. Learn more about these programs.

Veteran Affairs (VA) has a National Homeless Call Center that is available 24/7/365. This free service can provide information on VA homeless programs and mental health services in your area and help you get connected to the nearest Homeless Point of Contact at your closest VA facility. The VA works with local partners to provide a broad array of services, including prevention services, housing programs, healthcare, and employment services. To learn more about this program and its services, visit the Homeless Veterans website where you will have access to a confidential chat option or call 877-424-3838.

Military service members receive expedited processing of their disability applications from Social Security. The expedited process is available for military service members who have become disabled during active duty on or after October 1, 2001, regardless of where the disability occurs. Learn more on the Social Security website and by reading this guide from Wounded Warriors.

Debt Reduction Services offers free debt reduction and credit counseling services to active duty enlisted military personnel. Find out more information about these services on their website. 

Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration leads efforts to ensure that American servicemen and women can access behavioral health treatment and services. National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) also provides mental health resources, specific to veterans. These resources can be found in the NAMI Veterans Resource Center. While these resources are specialized for veterans and their families, additional substance use disorder and mental health resources are available to the public. 

The Military Health System provides advocacy services to active military, veterans, and families of active military and veterans. Services include advocacy, specialized information and referral, and veterans’ benefits assistance. Services are targeted to individuals dealing with mental health issues and traumatic brain injuries. The Center provides services free of charge and has no geographic restrictions. 

The Veterans Crisis Line connects Veterans in crisis and their families and friends with qualified responders through a confidential hotline, online chat, and text-messaging service. Connect by calling 9-8-8 and then pressing 1, chatting online, or texting 838-255. 

Vets4Warriors is a 24-hour peer support line for those who are currently serving or have served in the National Guard and Reserve. All conversations are completely confidential and, if you choose, you may remain anonymous. Call 855-838-8255 to be connected. 

NAMI’s Homefront service provides a free online suite for veterans and their families.  Information about mental health conditions, treatment, communication strategies, and more is available. 

Substance Use Disorder programs are also available. Veterans can participate in a Substance Use Disorder Program. Find a program near you. 

Survivor Outreach Services is the Army’s program that provides long-term support to surviving families of fallen soldiers by providing information regarding benefits and entitlements, governmental and non-governmental resources, and survivor outreach services support office locations. Learn more by visiting their website.

Sesame Street Workshop's Military Family Initiative helps children under the age of five understand common parts of having a parent in the military. Resources are available in English and Spanish. This critical outreach tool has helped military families and their young children cope with the challenges of deployment and build resilience in times of separation and change.