Your Benefits

EFMP + Special Needs

Dad and son reunite

Over 100,000 military families have members with special needs. These include spouses, children, or dependent parents who require special medical and/or educational services.

The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a mandatory enrollment program for active duty personnel who have family members with on-going medical, mental health, or special educational needs. Enrollment in this program is designed to identify family members with special needs and to consider their needs during the assignment coordination process. Enrollment helps to ensure that military families are located in areas where their family members’ medical and/or educational needs can be met. Each of the Uniformed Services has their own EFMP or Special Needs Program.

DOD policy allows (but does not require) the military services to provide family support services specifically for exceptional family members at family centers on military installations with an EFMP.

Family centers deliver family support information about specialized services, including day care, after-school care, and recreational and cultural programs that can accommodate family members with special needs. Family centers may also provide information about local support groups, available advocacy services, and accessible housing. The Army and Marine Corps have designated EFMP personnel in the installation family centers to assist families. The Navy and Air Force has Information and Referral Specialists that can assist families.

Visit MilitaryHOMEFRONT to learn more about your Services’ EFMP and to obtain copies of the appropriate EFMP enrollment forms (DD Form 2792, Exceptional Family Member Medical Summary or DD Form 2792-1, Exceptional Family Member Special Education and Early Intervention Summary).