What is EFMP?
The Exceptional Family Member Program (EFMP) is a Department of Defense program. It helps active-duty military families who have a dependent with special medical or educational needs.
EFMP makes sure the service member is sent to a duty station that can support the family. It also connects families to local and national resources.
The program is governed by DoD Instruction 1315.19. Every branch must follow it, but each branch runs its own program day to day.
Who qualifies as an Exceptional Family Member?
An Exceptional Family Member is a spouse, child, or dependent adult with a long-term condition that requires special care. Examples include:
- Asthma severe enough to need daily medication
- Autism spectrum disorder
- ADHD requiring medication or therapy
- Diabetes (Type 1 or 2)
- Mental health conditions like anxiety or depression with active care
- Speech, hearing, or vision issues that need ongoing services
- An Individualized Education Program (IEP) or 504 plan
- Early Intervention Services (birth to age 3)
- Mobility or assistive device needs
Enrollment is not a label or a punishment. It is a planning tool that protects the family during moves.
Who must enroll in EFMP
Enrollment is mandatory for active-duty service members in all branches if they have a qualifying family member. Failing to enroll can lead to administrative action.
The rule applies whether the family member lives with the service member or not, as long as the person is a command-sponsored dependent. National Guard and Reserve members on Title 10 active orders may also need to enroll.
Service members may worry that EFMP will hurt their career. Per DoD policy, enrollment cannot be used against them for promotion or assignment decisions outside of the EFMP review itself. Most family advocates strongly encourage early enrollment.
The 3 components of EFMP
EFMP has three working parts. Most installations split these among the medical clinic, the personnel office, and the family-support center.
1. Identification and enrollment
The medical side. A doctor or specialist reviews the family member's records and confirms a qualifying condition. The service member submits enrollment paperwork through the local Military Treatment Facility (MTF).
2. Assignment coordination
The personnel side. Before any PCS, the branch checks the gaining location to make sure it can support the family's documented needs. This may change or delay an assignment.
3. Family support
The community side. Family Support staff connect the family with local resources, IEP help, respite care, financial counseling, and federal benefits. This is the day-to-day help most families use.
How EFMP enrollment works
The basic enrollment workflow is the same across branches, even if the office names differ.
Step 1: Contact your EFMP coordinator
Start at your installation's MTF or family-support office. Ask for the EFMP coordinator. You can also call Military OneSource at 800-342-9647 for a referral.
Step 2: Complete the required forms
Two main forms drive enrollment:
- DD Form 2792 — Family Member Medical Summary. A provider fills out the medical sections.
- DD Form 2792-1 — Special Education/Early Intervention Summary. Used when a child has an IEP, 504 plan, or EIS plan.
Both forms are available from your EFMP office or directly from the DoD forms library.
Step 3: Medical and educational review
The MTF reviews the paperwork. They may ask for records from civilian providers. For children with school services, the EFMP office reviews the IEP or 504 plan.
Step 4: Category determination
The screening committee assigns a category that describes the level of services your family needs. This category is reviewed every three years, or sooner if the condition changes.
Step 5: Family support intake
After enrollment, the Family Support office contacts the family. They explain available resources, respite hours, and how to use EFMP during a PCS.
EFMP categories explained
Each branch sets its own category names, but most use a numbered system from 1 to 6. The category is not a measure of disability severity. It is a logistical label that helps planners match families to the right duty station.
| Category | What it generally means |
|---|---|
| 1 | Monitored or routine care; few location restrictions. |
| 2 | Specialty care available at most installations. |
| 3 | Specialty care required; CONUS assignment with established services. |
| 4 | Major medical or educational support needed; usually CONUS only. |
| 5 | Time-limited assignment restrictions (e.g., pending diagnosis, post-surgery). |
| 6 | Stabilization or temporary high-acuity case; often homesteading recommended. |
The Coast Guard publishes one of the clearer category breakdowns, available in its Special Needs Categories memo. Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, and Space Force use similar logic with branch-specific names.
Category vs. severity
Two children with the same diagnosis can land in different categories. The deciding factor is the type of services they need and where those services are available, not the disease itself.
EFMP and PCS assignments
EFMP's biggest impact on a military career shows up at PCS time. Once a family is enrolled, every set of orders triggers an EFMP review.
How the assignment review works
Personnel sends the proposed location to the EFMP medical and education team at the gaining installation. They confirm:
- Specialists are available at or near the new base
- Schools can deliver the child's IEP or 504 services
- Early intervention is available for children under 3
If services are present, the assignment proceeds. If not, the family may be reassigned or the service member may go unaccompanied.
Overseas assignments
EFMP review is especially strict for OCONUS orders. Many overseas installations have limited pediatric specialty care or special-education staff. Families in higher categories often cannot accompany the service member to certain countries.
If a family is denied an overseas tour, the service member may receive a stateside assignment or take the tour unaccompanied with separation-related pay. See the military pay guide for information on family separation allowance.
Pay and travel during EFMP moves
Approved EFMP families receive the same PCS entitlements as any other family — DLA, per diem, weight allowance, and BAH at the new location. Use the BAH calculator to estimate housing at the new duty station.
EFMP respite care
Respite care is one of the most-used EFMP benefits. It provides paid care for the exceptional family member so the primary caregiver can rest, work, or attend appointments.
Who is eligible for respite care?
Eligibility depends on the branch and the family member's category. As an example, the Navy moved to a Level-of-Need (LON) based system on 1 October 2025: dependents at LON 3 receive 20 hours per month and LON 4 receive 32 hours per month; LON 1 and 2 are not eligible. Army respite hours often run 25 to 40 hours per month for similar categories.
Where care can happen
Approved respite providers can deliver care in:
- The family home
- A child development center (CDC) or school-age program
- Special-needs camps
- Approved community partners
How to use it
Contact the installation's EFMP Family Support office. They walk the family through the request, the eligible-provider list, and how to claim hours each month. There is no cost to the family for approved hours.
EFMP by service branch
Each branch uses the same DoD policy but runs the program through different offices.
Army EFMP
Run through Army Community Service (ACS) and the local MTF. Soldiers initiate enrollment with the MTF EFMP coordinator. Respite care is administered through Army MWR.
Navy EFMP
Run through the Fleet and Family Support Center (FFSC) with medical screening at the Navy MTF. Navy uses a category system from 1 to 6 and runs a separate EFM Respite Care portal.
Air Force and Space Force EFMP
Run jointly through the Military and Family Readiness Center (M&FRC) and Air Force Special Needs Coordinators at MTFs. Both Air Force and Space Force currently share EFMP infrastructure.
Marine Corps EFMP
The Marine Corps runs EFMP through Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS). Marines often have access to additional family case workers because of smaller community size.
Coast Guard EFMP (Special Needs Program)
The Coast Guard calls its version the Special Needs Program. Cuttermen and shore personnel both enroll through the regional Health, Safety, and Work-Life office.
EFMP, TRICARE, and ECHO
EFMP is not a health insurance plan. It works alongside TRICARE, which actually pays for the care.
Many EFMP families also qualify for the TRICARE Extended Care Health Option (ECHO). ECHO covers services TRICARE Prime usually does not, like applied behavior analysis (ABA) for autism, in-home health care, durable equipment, and respite care for ECHO-registered care.
You can read more at the official TRICARE ECHO page. EFMP enrollment is required to use ECHO.
Other related benefits
- VA benefits may apply to a service member who later separates with disabilities of their own.
- VA survivor benefits and DIC can support EFMP families after a service member's death.
- Military spouse resources include career and education programs for caregivers.
Recent EFMP updates (2025-2026)
DoD has been working to standardize EFMP across services. Key trends through 2026 include:
- EFMP & Me digital portal — A central self-service tool for families to track enrollment, find resources, and prepare for PCS.
- Expanded respite hours — Several branches raised monthly respite caps for higher-category families starting in 2025.
- Faster overseas screening — DoD targets a 30-day review window for routine OCONUS EFMP packets.
- Stronger non-retaliation language — Updated DoD guidance reinforces that EFMP enrollment cannot harm assignments or promotions outside the program's own review.
For the latest official policy, see Military OneSource branch regulations.
Financial planning for EFMP families
Caring for a special-needs dependent has long-term financial consequences. EFMP families should review:
- Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) — Consider a Special Needs Trust as beneficiary to protect Medicaid or SSI eligibility. See the military retirement guide.
- SGLI and VGLI — Review coverage with our SGLI explainer and VGLI explainer.
- ABLE accounts — Tax-advantaged savings for people with disabilities. Authorized by the Social Security Administration.
- Tax breaks — Medical-expense deductions, the Child and Dependent Care Credit, and state-specific exclusions. Review the IRS Publication 502 for qualifying medical expenses.
Practical tips from EFMP families
- Enroll early. Waiting until orders drop delays the move and adds stress.
- Keep your own copies. Maintain a folder with the latest DD 2792, IEPs, and provider notes.
- Update after every major change. A new diagnosis, surgery, or service requires a fresh form.
- Use Family Support before PCS. They can preview the gaining installation's resources.
- Ask about local respite providers. The list changes often; the EFMP office has the current one.
- Connect with peers. Branch-specific Facebook groups and Military OneSource forums help families navigate quirks.
Important note
EFMP rules vary by branch and update often. This guide is for general information only. It is not medical, legal, or benefits advice. Always confirm with your installation's EFMP office and your medical providers before making decisions about care, moves, or finances.
Bottom line
The Exceptional Family Member Program is the safety net that keeps military families together when a dependent has special needs. EFMP enrollment unlocks the right duty stations, the right schools, respite hours, and add-on TRICARE benefits like ECHO. The earlier a family enrolls, the smoother every PCS and care decision becomes.
Use our other guides to round out your plan. Start with the military pay guide for entitlements, the military pay calculator for take-home numbers, and the TRICARE guide for the insurance side of EFMP. If you are getting ready for separation or retirement, the military retirement calculator can help you plan long-term care funding for your exceptional family member.