https://crsreports.congress.gov
Updated November 14, 2022
Defense Primer: Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP)
Congress authorizes programs and appropriated funds for
servicemember and family benefits, including services to
improve quality of life or attenuate military-specific
challenges. Military families face frequent moves around
the globe, often causing disruptions to spousal employment,
school or child care arrangements, and other challenges
associated with establishing a household in a new location.
These challenges are often compounded for families with
special needs.
Military members who have a dependent (spouse, child, or
dependent parent) with special needs may experience
significant stress during these moves due to the need to find
specialized health care providers, school systems with
dedicated support services, and community support
assistance. The military established the Exceptional Family
Member Program (EFMP) to ease these additional burdens
of a move for such families.
Background
The U.S. Army started EFMP in 1979, with the other
services following. Enrollment was voluntary and the
program initially provided medical support to families with
special needs in the United States and overseas locations.
As child advocacy groups raised concerns over the unique
pressures of military service on families, Congress enacted
the Military Family Act of 1985 as part of the Department
of Defense Authorization Act, 1986 (P.L. 99-145 §§801-
813). This act directed the Department of Defense (DOD)
to create an Office of Family Policy to “coordinate
programs and activities of the military departments as they
relate to military families.”
Congress later created the Office of Community Support for
Military Families with Special Needs in Section 563 of the
National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2010
(P.L. 111-84). Renamed the Office of Special Needs (OSN)
in 2016, its statutory mission is to develop DOD-level
oversight of EFMP and “standardize, enhance, and improve
DOD support around the world for military families with
special needs (whether medical or educational needs).”
OSN establishes DOD policy to support military families
with special needs, while each military service is
responsible for administering its own EFMP. The degree of
legal, educational, and training assistance provided varies
by service. OSN coordinates with the services, Defense
Health Agency (DHA), and DOD Education Activity in an
effort to ensure EFMP adequately supports military
families. OSN holds quarterly advisory panels with military
families to assess program satisfaction and is required to
provide an annual report to Congress (10 U.S.C.
§1781c(g)).
Eligibility and Enrollment
DOD Instruction 1315.19 requires active duty
servicemembers to enroll in EFMP if they have a dependent
with a qualifying special need. Members of the Reserve
Component are not required to enroll in EFMP, unless they
are in an active duty status (for more than 30 consecutive
days). DOD civil service employees selected for overseas
assignments are eligible for EFMP services on a space-
available basis.
Servicemembers may receive guidance on eligibility and
completing enrollment in the program at their installation
EFMP office. When transferring to a new duty station,
EFMP enrollment is portable; though additional paperwork
may be required in order to coordinate and continue certain
services and support. There are no costs to enroll in the
program. However, there may be costs associated with
obtaining civilian medical documentation required for
enrollment that may be reimbursed by the member’s service
or through DOD’s health benefits program, TRICARE.
EFMP Services and Support
EFMP offices also assist with the coordination of military
assignments and family support services. Dependents are
eligible for support services once the servicemember has
enrolled in the program.
