Dependents of military members who have been convicted of domestic abuse are eligible for compensation from DOD, Military.com reports.
The Transitional Compensation for Abused Dependents Program provides temporary monetary payments and benefits to dependents of service members who were separated from the military due to a dependent-abuse or child-abuse offense.
The program provides a monthly tax-free payment equal to the amount of the Department of Veterans Affairs’ Dependency & Indemnity Compensation (DIC) amount, currently approximately $1,300 a month, according to the report. It also provides medical coverage and travel reimbursement, as well as on-base shopping privileges.
Many victims are reluctant to report abuse because they fear about losing their sole means of support, especially military spouses who are often far from family support networks. However, DOD’s program provides financial assistance to victims.
The program’s travel payments allow victims to leave the area and move on with their new lives and shipment of household goods is also authorized, according to the report.
Health care is available by Tricare or CHAMPVA and the program’s benefits are paid for a minimum of 12 and a maximum of 36 months.
If the spouse remarries or moves back in with the abuser, the benefits end. Children under 18 are also eligible to receive benefits and their eligibility can continue until age 23 if they are full-time students. Recipients must recertify their eligibility every year, according to the report.
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