One benefit many servicemembers are not fully aware of is the adoption reimbursement program. Through the program military families that have adopted a child may be eligible for a reimbursement of up to $2,000 per child, not to exceed $5,000 per calendar year. To qualify for reimbursement, the adoption must have been arranged by either a qualified adoption agency or other source authorized to place children for adoption under state or local law. This benefit includes stepchild adoptions.
An article from the American Forces Press Service told Air Force Master Sgt. Kipp Bourgeois' personal adoption story. He and his wife had struggled for years with trying to have a child of their own until 2003 when they decided to adopt through a special-needs adoption program through the state of Nevada.
Although most of the specific adoption costs were covered by the state, Bourgeois still had about $2,000 in out-of-pocket expenses for fingerprinting, parenting classes, and legal fees. Thankfully the Defense Department's adoption reimbursement program was able to help cover their expenses - like it has for thousands of couples since 1991.
Read the full American Forces Press Service article.
To learn more about DoD Adoption Reimbursement visit the Military.com benefits channel.
