Why Financial Stability Is Essential for Children of Deceased Military Members

Financial stability is one of the most important social determinants of health for anyone, but it's even more essential for families and children who have lost a loved one in the armed forces. A loss like this creates enormous challenges for children’s immediate development and mental health as well as their short- and long-term life outcomes. Finding ways to support financial stability in military families can help mitigate some of these challenges, providing a foundation that allows children to recover and thrive.

Immediately After Loss

Helps to Support Short-Term Family Financial Health

Military families often rely on the service member's income and benefits to meet their daily needs. However, these funds may already have been stretched thin over time, as these families face significant relocation and housing costs each time a service member receives permanent change of station orders. The more often this occurs during their career, the more household wealth can be negatively impacted over time.

In addition, frequent moves make it difficult for military spouses to consistently find and maintain employment, particularly if childcare is unavailable or unaffordable. When a loved one in the military dies, the trauma can delay or prevent spouses from securing a job despite suddenly finding themselves in need of one.

This can add to an already precarious situation and create housing instability and food insecurity. At least a quarter of service members and their families are food insecure, and there are far too many military families on food stamps (which today refers to participation in the U.S. Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, or SNAP). Food insecurity can cause serious physical and cognitive development problems in children.

Receiving financial tools and support through a user-friendly, well-run military family assistance program reduces practical concerns, making it easier for families to recover from income-related losses and to plan for the future. This helps to prevent an emotional crisis from being compounded by an economic one.

Provides Peace of Mind

Although achieving or maintaining financial readiness following a military death doesn’t mitigate the pain of losing a spouse or parent, it does remove some worry for the surviving parent. This benefits children as well, as they will receive more attention and better care while they process and cope with the loss of a parent.

In the Long Term

Improves Wellness Outcomes for Children

Long-term financial stability supports the wellness of children and their families. Stable finances allow families to afford necessities such as health care, nutritious food, and safe housing, which are all critical components of physical and mental health.

Boosts Physical Wellness

Children in financially stable households are more likely to have access to regular medical care and nutritious food. Income instability can negatively impact children's physical health over time, leading to increased rates of chronic conditions and developmental delays. Ensuring financial stability helps maintain consistent access to health care services and healthy living conditions.

Increases Mental Wellness

The mental health of children and their families is also profoundly affected by financial stability. Financial strain can lead to increased stress, anxiety, and depression, and can adversely affect children's emotional and behavioral development. Stable finances provide a more secure and less stressful environment, fostering better mental health outcomes for children.

Promotes Financial Literacy

Having a financially stable home supports parents’ ability to teach children about money management and financial responsibility, both in words and by example. When families have stable finances, they can model healthy financial behaviors and involve children in discussions about budgeting, saving, and spending. Financial literacy is a critical skill that can help children grow into financially responsible adults. By incorporating financial education into daily life, parents can prepare their children for future financial success.

Encourages the Pursuit of Higher Education

Financial stability is a significant factor in a child's ability to pursue higher education, which is often a pathway to upward mobility and improved socioeconomic status. Those with a college degree can earn more than $500 more per week than people without one. Economic stability is essential for educational attainment, as financial stress can deter students from pursuing or completing higher education. Making scholarships, savings plans, and other financial resources more readily available to military families can help ensure that children of deceased service members have the opportunity to achieve their educational goals.

Fosters Approval of the U.S. Military and Military Life

Ensuring financial stability for the families of deceased service members can additionally foster a more positive perception of the U.S. military and military life. Financial concerns are among the top issues for military families, which impact their overall satisfaction and perception of military service. By providing adequate financial support, the military and affiliated organizations can demonstrate America’s commitment to caring for its service members and their families, fostering trust and approval within military family communities and the nation as a whole.

Financial stability is not just a matter of economic security; it is a fundamental aspect of the overall well-being and future success of children and families, particularly those who have lost a military service member. By prioritizing financial stability in general and especially in the face of human loss, we can honor the sacrifices of our service members and support the resilience and success of their families.

Support Children of Deceased Military Members With MC-LEF

Since its inception in 1995, the Marine Corps-Law Enforcement Foundation (MC-LEF) has provided $35,000.00 in educational accounts and humanitarian assistance to the families of active duty fallen United States Marines, Navy Corpsmen, and Federal Law Enforcement Agents. To date, MC-LEF has awarded over $93 million in educational accounts and other humanitarian assistance to over 6,000 recipients. Contact us to learn more!

All MC-LEF officers and board members are volunteers; we have only one paid employee. We pride ourselves on running our organization as cost-effectively as possible so that over 90% of our donor funds can be used to accomplish our mission of educating the children of those who sacrificed all. Please consider donating today!