Unlocking New Financial Relief Programs

Several brand-new advancements could impact the work of military service members and their households and companies' compliance commitments in 2026. Changes vary from propositions to increase incentives for hiring military partners to enhanced employment securities for service members while on duty. Military partner employment opportunities and assistance stay a focus for pending legislation.

On November 20, 2025, Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Maggie Hassan (D-NH), and Representatives Steven Horsford (D-NV) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) presented an upgraded version of the Improve and Enhance 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 companies that work with certain "American job candidates who have consistently dealt with barriers to employment." That proposed legislation resembles the Armed force Spouse Hiring Act (H.R. 2033/S.1027), introduced previously in 2025.

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Frequent Movings Frequent relocations continue to strain military households and can make it more difficult for companies to hire and maintain military partners. Expanding the WOTC could create brand-new rewards for employers to work with military partners and tap into this underutilized talent pool.

Advanced Military Retirement and Pension Optimization

The U.S. Congress has not yet taken up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it might result in decreased PCS moves that might impact recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military partners. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law currently provides civilian work leave protections for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or voluntarily released for military service.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Health Care and Advantages Enhancement Act (Dole Act), which consisted of arrangements impacting USERRA enforcement and treatments. The Dole Act reinforced anti-retaliation securities and enabled plaintiffs declaring USERRA offenses to look for minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and lawyers' fees. Agencies and courts might continue to analyze and use the Dole Act's USERRA-related arrangements.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Employment and Training Service (DOL/VETS) introduced a program for companies to seek guidance for making sure compliance. The Support and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is a chance for employers to demand technical guidance on USERRA-related concerns or specific issues in their workforce before the beginning of a DOL/VETS problem or suit.

Top priority actions include evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, updating military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit continuation procedures, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to quickly catch new incentives for military partners. Ogletree Deakins' new Armed force Labor force Practice Group unites a group of lawyers, much of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently advise on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate application, and examinations and lawsuits.

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How to Secure Grants for Veterans

Tax day is. Have you filed with MilTax? Whether you're just getting your papers together, struck a snag or require to declare an extension, we've got your back with free filing software and tax pros all set to assist.

For ten years, Employing Our Heroes has championed military partner work, producing paths to opportunity and driving systemic change. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Partner Employment Summit will honor the legacy of progress while charting a bold course for the future. This year's summit concentrates on Management & Tradition as we recognize the spouses, companies, and supporters who have transformed the work landscape and prepared the next generation to grow in a progressing labor force.

Together, we will develop on a years of service and success to develop a future where military spouses lead with strength, vision, and purpose.

Military partners deal with one of the most persistent employment spaces in the American labor force., military partner joblessness has hovered around 20% or greater in recent years.