Unlocking New Financial Relief Programs

Numerous brand-new developments might impact the work of military service members and their families and companies' compliance commitments in 2026. Changes range from propositions to increase rewards for employing military partners to enhanced employment securities for service members while on task. Military partner job opportunity and assistance stay a focus for pending legislation.

, presented earlier in 2025.

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Regular Movings Regular relocations continue to strain military families and can make it more difficult for employers to employ and keep military partners. Broadening the WOTC could create brand-new incentives for companies to hire military partners and take advantage of this underutilized skill pool. In addition, the Supporting Tours Across Years (STAY) Act (H.R. 6146), introduced in November 2025, seeks to restrict relocations of active-duty servicemembers.

The Updated Outlook to VA Debt

The U.S. Congress has actually not yet used up the STAY Act this year, but if it is ultimately enacted, it might result in lowered PCS relocations that might affect recruiting, retention, and remote-work policies for military spouses. Military Re-Employment Protections Federal law already provides civilian work leave securities for veterans and service members who are involuntarily or willingly released for military service.

In January 2025, Congress enacted the Senator Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Advantages Improvement Act (Dole Act), which consisted of arrangements affecting USERRA enforcement and remedies. The Dole Act bolstered anti-retaliation protections and allowed complainants declaring USERRA violations to seek minimum liquidated damages of $50,000 and attorneys' charges. Agencies and courts may continue to analyze and apply the Dole Act's USERRA-related provisions.

New Employer Resources In January 2025, the U.S. Department of Labor's Veterans' Work and Training Service (DOL/VETS) launched a program for companies to look for guidance for making sure compliance. The Assistance and Support for Leaders in USERRA Training and Employment (SALUTE) program is an opportunity for employers to request technical guidance on USERRA-related questions or specific concerns in their labor force before the start of a DOL/VETS problem or claim.

Top priority actions consist of evaluating USERRA compliance programs and training, upgrading military leave and reemployment policies, verifying health-benefit continuation treatments, and lining up hiring and tax-credit screening procedures to quickly capture brand-new incentives for military spouses. Ogletree Deakins' new Military Workforce Practice Group brings together a team of attorneys, many of whom are veterans or presently serving in the Reserves or National Guard, who frequently recommend on USERRA compliance, policy development, multistate application, and examinations and lawsuits.

Patton, Jr. cochair the group. In addition, the Ogletree Deakins Customer Portal covers brand-new laws and advancements in Military Leave. All client-users have access to Photos and Updates. Premium customers have access to details, updated design templates, and other resources. For more details on the Client Website or a Customer Website membership, please reach out to .

Overcoming Spouse Career Barriers in 2026

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For 10 years, Hiring Our Heroes has actually promoted military partner work, creating paths to chance and driving systemic modification. As we commemorate this milestone, the 10th Annual Armed Force Spouse Work Summit will honor the tradition of development while charting a bold course for the future. This year's summit focuses on Leadership & Tradition as we recognize the spouses, employers, and advocates who have actually transformed the employment landscape and prepared the next generation to thrive in an evolving workforce.

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

Military spouses deal with one of the most persistent work spaces in the American labor force., military partner joblessness has hovered around 20% or higher in current years.