This Act expands eligibility for the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) to include the spouses of veterans and service members who died in service.
Don Bacon
Representative
NE-2
The Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act expands eligibility for services under the Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP) to include spouses of veterans and service members. This amendment specifically defines "eligible persons" as spouses who meet certain criteria or are the spouse of someone who died while serving in the Armed Forces. This change ensures that surviving spouses receive crucial career support through the DVOP.
Gold Star Spouses and Eligible Spouses Get Access to Veteran Career Services Under New Act
This bill, the Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act, is straightforward: it significantly expands who can get help from the federal Disabled Veterans Outreach Program (DVOP).
Essentially, the bill updates the law governing DVOP services—which helps veterans find jobs and access career resources—to include “eligible persons.” The key here is the definition of “eligible person.” It specifically covers two groups of military spouses: spouses of service members who died while serving (often referred to as Gold Star Spouses) and spouses of veterans who are receiving certain VA benefits (as defined in Section 4101(5) of title 38, U.S.C.).
Opening the Door to Targeted Career Help
For years, the DVOP has focused its limited resources primarily on veterans, particularly those with service-connected disabilities or other significant employment barriers. This change means that spouses—who often face unique career challenges due to frequent moves, caregiving responsibilities, or the tragic loss of a loved one—can now access the same targeted, one-on-one employment assistance.
Think about a Gold Star Spouse who is suddenly the sole provider for their family. They might need help translating their life skills and volunteer experience into a civilian resume, or they might need intensive job counseling to re-enter the workforce after years of supporting a military career. Before this bill, they might have had to rely on general job services. Now, they can tap into a program specifically designed to understand the military community’s needs.
Removing the Red Tape
The bill also makes a small but important housekeeping change: it removes the phrase “non-veteran-related” from a section describing the program’s focus. This old language could have theoretically limited the scope of services provided, even to veterans. Striking this phrase simplifies the program’s mission and ensures that both eligible veterans and the newly added eligible spouses can receive comprehensive career support without unnecessary restrictions.
In short, the Gold Star and Surviving Spouse Career Services Act recognizes that the sacrifices of military families extend to the spouses, and it provides a concrete, established federal program to help them navigate their careers. This is a clear expansion of benefits, using an existing structure to support those who support our service members and veterans.