Systemic support for veterans' families is a key factor in the resilience and security of the state

Introduction

Dear citizens of Ukraine and international partners! During the many years of struggle for independence, Ukraine has gained a priceless treasure – our veterans and their families. Caring for them is not only a matter of social justice but also a strategic necessity. State support for veterans' families (including free education for children, hot lunches in schools, access to higher education, etc.) has a positive effect on the moral and psychological state of fighters, reduces the financial burden on their families and strengthens the military's trust in the state. In this analytical report we will examine why systematic support for the families of defenders is an element of national security and stability, analyze successful examples of the policies of other countries (the USA, Israel, Canada, the UK, etc.) and assess the economic and social effects of such investments. In the concluding part, as head of the Veteran Reintegration Institute “Architecture of Resilience,” I will share my own reflections and proposals for Ukraine based on this international experience.

In implementation of Resolution No. 318 of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated 14.03.2025 “On the implementation of an experimental project to provide state assistance for the education of children of certain categories of persons who defended the independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine,” and in order to ensure the further implementation of this experimental project, we hereby announce. – we are registering everyone who wishes to apply, using the form on the page: https://veterano.knuba.edu.ua/sproshchena-forma-reiestratsii-veterana/

The psychological significance of supporting veterans' families

A veteran returning to civilian life often faces new challenges – from finding a job to treating combat injuries. During this transitional period it is extremely important that the state and society do not leave him alone with his problems. Benefits for veterans' families directly affect the moral and psychological state of defenders. First, guaranteed social benefits for children (free education, meals, etc.) reduce veteran parents' anxiety about their family's well-being. As noted in one Ukrainian publication, a soldier must be focused on carrying out his tasks, and “so that he does not worry about his loved ones,” military units have introduced social worker positions that look after servicemembers' families . When a veteran knows that his family is protected – the children are fed and studying, and the family has support – it significantly reduces the level of stress and psychological strain.

Second, supporting families is a powerful motivator for the service member as well. The feeling that the state is grateful for their service and shows this gratitude by caring for the veteran’s closest people strengthens morale. According to US Army experts, a family’s well-being affects a service member’s ability to focus on duty: “When military families are well supported and prepared, they are a stable and resilient foundation that allows service members to concentrate on carrying out the mission.” Thus, a veteran’s psychological comfort largely depends on the confidence that his children and wife/husband face no threat in social and material terms.

Reducing the financial burden through targeted benefits also improves psychological well-being. Many veterans return home with reduced incomes (especially if they left service at a young age) and may face difficulties finding work. State help with paying for children’s education or providing them with free school meals is substantial financial support. For example, in the United States there is a legislative proposal to automatically grant military children the right to free school lunches, since about 14% of service members’ families face food shortages (food insecurity). Free lunches and breakfasts at school not only improve children’s health and academic performance but also reduce the family’s food costs. Fewer financial worries mean less stress for the veteran and his relatives, and therefore a more stable psychological state and faster adaptation to peaceful life.

Support for veterans’ families as a factor of national security and trust in the state

Systematic care for the families of defenders is not only a matter of individual well-being but also the foundation of the army’s combat capability and long-term national security. Service members’ satisfaction with how the state treats their families directly affects morale, willingness to continue serving, and trust in the authorities. A well-known saying of the US military leadership goes: “The Army recruits the soldier, but retains the family.” In other words, a person can be lured into service by patriotic duty or material incentives, but it is much easier to keep an experienced soldier if his family feels supported and comfortable.

The experience of the US Army confirms this principle in numbers. Studies show that a family’s quality of life is a key factor in whether a service member re-enlists. According to the Center for a New American Security (CNAS), 93% of married service members continue serving when supported by their family (in particular, when the state and employers look after the spouse’s employment, the children’s education, and so on), whereas without such support only 44% stay in the army. The difference is striking. It follows that investment in military families directly raises the army’s staffing levels and professionalism and reduces attrition.

The same logic applies to building trust in the state among service members. If a soldier sees that the state takes care of his loved ones — providing housing, medical care, education, and social protection — his trust in the leadership and his motivation to defend such a state grow. In the US armed forces this is called the “Family readiness” component: “Soldiers’ trust in the service and in their commanders depends on how much they feel that they and their families are cared for.” That is, supporting families is part of the unwritten social contract between the warrior and the country. In Ukraine, where the prestige of and trust in the military are extremely high (according to surveys, over 90% of Ukrainians trust the Armed Forces of Ukraine and veterans), the state has no right to squander this credit of trust. The system of benefits and assistance for warriors’ families reinforces a sense of fairness and unity: defenders become convinced that the state values their contribution and looks after those who are dearest to them.

The national security element shows up here in the long term as well. Military families are the cradle of the country’s future defenders. Children who see their parents’ service treated with dignity grow up respecting the army and often choose a military career. A survey in the US found that 44% of teenagers from military families also plan to join the military, compared with only 10% of their civilian peers. Thus, caring for the current generation of veterans lays the foundation for the future professional army. Conversely, if veterans’ families feel abandoned, their children may lose the motivation to serve the state. Moreover, negative experiences of veterans and their families can lead to social tension, from distrust of government institutions to protests (a historical example is the “Bonus Army” of veterans in the US in 1932, when veterans dissatisfied with the lack of payments nearly caused a government crisis). Therefore, supporting defenders’ families is a preventive measure against potential social instability.

For clarity, let us consider several key indicators of how family support affects security aspects:

Indicator	With family support	Without adequate support
Continued service (USA)	93% of married service members continue serving when their family is supported	Only 44% continue serving if the family does not feel supported
Young people’s inclination toward military service	44% of children from military families aspire to serve (US example)	~10% of young people on average intend to serve (from civilian families)

Table 1. Impact of family support on retaining the army’s personnel potential and on motivation to serve (survey data from the US Armed Forces).

As we can see, supporting veterans’ families is an integral part of national security. It increases combat readiness through better focus of service members on their duties (they do not have to be distracted by their family’s everyday problems), improves the retention of experienced personnel in the army, and contributes to raising a patriotic younger generation. In addition, it creates a positive image of the state as a fair and grateful employer for service members. Especially during war, when the burden on the army is enormous and the number of veterans is growing, caring for their families is a contribution to the country’s defense capability and resilience as a whole.

International experience in supporting military families

Many countries around the world, recognizing the importance of the issue, have developed extensive systems for supporting the families of service members and veterans. Let us look at some examples of policies and practices in the United States, Israel, Canada, the United Kingdom, and other states, and analyze their socio-economic effect.

United States of America

The United States has one of the most developed systems of benefits for veterans and their families in the world. Historically, after World War II the famous “GI Bill” (the Servicemen’s Readjustment Act of 1944) was passed, which gave an entire generation of veterans the opportunity to receive an education and buy a home for free. This decision laid the foundation for the postwar economic boom, effectively creating a powerful middle class in the United States out of former soldiers. According to economists’ estimates, every dollar the US government invested in veterans’ education under the GI Bill brought almost $7 of benefit to the economy in the form of GDP growth and tax revenue. Such a huge return is explained by the improved qualifications of veteran workers, as well as their incomes and purchasing power.

Today the United States has numerous programs supporting military families:

• Education benefits. A modern version of the GI Bill is in force, the Post-9/11 GI Bill, which covers the cost of higher education for veterans after 2001. Its unique feature is the ability to transfer unused education benefits to one’s children or spouse. That is, a service member can pass a state-paid university ticket on to his child. In addition, for the families of fallen or severely wounded veterans there is the Survivors’ and Dependents’ Educational Assistance (DEA, Chapter 35) program, a tuition stipend for their children and spouses. States have also introduced their own benefits: in more than 20 states there are programs of free tuition at public colleges and universities for the children of veterans (especially those who died or became disabled). For example, in the state of California, children of disabled veterans receive a full tuition waiver in the state university system.
• Financial assistance and tax benefits. Military families enjoy a number of financial benefits: from preferential mortgage loans (VA Home Loans) to tax deductions. If a service member dies, his family receives an insurance payout (SGLI) and a survivor’s pension. There are programs of temporary financial assistance for families in difficulty (for example, because the breadwinner was wounded): the Operation Homefront fund, for instance, provides grants to military families to pay rent, utilities, or groceries.
• Medical and social security. All family members of active-duty service members are covered by the state health insurance system TRICARE, which provides free or discounted medical care. For veterans with severe injuries, the CHAMPVA program covers the medical costs of their families. On bases there are family centers (Family Centers) that offer psychological support, counseling, help with spouses’ employment, and so on.
• School meals and kindergartens. As noted, the US government recognizes the problem of food shortages in the families of low-paid service members and therefore supports the National School Lunch Program. Children of military personnel are given easier access to free school lunches; in particular, certain pay allowances are not counted when calculating family income. The Department of Defense also subsidizes kindergartens and nurseries on military bases: the fees depend progressively on family income, and the quality meets high standards.

Socio-economic effect. US policy toward veterans and their families has demonstrated substantial benefits: veterans have received education on a massive scale and increased their earnings and economic participation. A study showed that thanks to education benefits, veterans study about 1.4 years longer than without support, and their average annual incomes are 6% higher. This means higher tax revenue and less strain on social services (after all, an employed, educated veteran needs less assistance). Family support has also helped reduce veteran homelessness and poverty among veterans, problems that were acute after the Vietnam War but became more manageable thanks to reintegration programs. Despite the huge sums (from 2009 to 2019 alone, the US federal government invested about $100 billion in postwar education for veterans), these costs pay off through veterans’ more productive economic contribution and a stable social situation.

Israel

Israel, a country that constantly lives under military tension, has a cult of reverence for its soldiers. Almost every citizen serves, so supporting veterans and their families is perceived as a matter for the whole nation. Israel has an extensive system of benefits, established by law and implemented by various ministries and public organizations.

• Education and employment. Demobilized IDF service members receive education vouchers. The state runs the program “From Uniform to University” (Hebrew: Mimadim le-Limudim), which subsidizes the cost of veterans’ education. In particular, former combat-unit soldiers have 2/3 of their university tuition paid from the state budget. The program also covers so-called “lone soldiers” (those with no family in the country) and other special categories: new immigrants, service members raising children on their own, and members of national minorities who served in the army. In addition, the government gives veterans grants for starting businesses, preferential mortgages, and help with finding work (through employment exchanges and retraining programs).
• Financial support for the families of the fallen and wounded. In Israel, the families of fallen soldiers receive lifelong pension provision and a number of benefits. There is a separate law on the families of fallen soldiers: they receive monthly payments, housing benefits (discounts on municipal taxes, help with renting or buying a home), and other social guarantees. There are public organizations, such as the IDF Widows and Orphans Organization, that additionally look after children and widows (organizing summer camps, scholarships, and psychosocial help). Disabled veterans and their families receive expanded medical services, rehabilitation, and assistive devices at state expense.
• Special categories of support. Israel is interesting in that it even places foreign volunteers (so-called “Machal soldiers”) and their family members on an equal footing with its own veteran citizens. This reflects the principle: “since you fought for Israel, Israel will take care of you and your loved ones, regardless of citizenship.” This approach builds global trust in the Israeli state among allies. In addition, former service members are given housing subsidies (for example, rent discounts), which indirectly supports their families as well.

Effect on society. In Israel there is a strong bond between the army and society, which is one of the highest levels of citizens’ trust in the military in the world. To a large extent this has been achieved through attention to every soldier and his family. Veterans who received an education through the benefits build careers in the civilian sector (in Israel, many high-tech startups were founded precisely by demobilized officers). Israel’s economy benefits from a highly skilled workforce drawn from among veterans, and society benefits from cohesion and pride in its army. When the state guarantees that “no family of a fallen hero will be left without support,” it strengthens national unity and the readiness of recruits to join the army with full dedication.

Canada

Canada traditionally pays significant attention to the social protection of veterans, including their family members. The Canadian Armed Forces are smaller in size than the American ones but are professional, and recruiting and retaining personnel are priorities.

• Educational opportunities for families. In Canada there is the Education Assistance for Children program from the Department of Veterans Affairs. If a service member has died or died as a result of service, his children receive funding for post-secondary education (college or university) for up to 4 years. This assistance is tax-free and covers not only tuition but also related costs (books, student fees, and so on). There are also scholarship funds (for example, from the Royal Legion or universities) for children and grandchildren of veterans who need financial support for their studies.
• Medical and psychological support. The families of Canadian service members have access to the Military Family Services program, which provides counseling, mental health support, and special activities for children (camps, clubs). When a veteran is wounded or suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), his family is offered free psychological adaptation courses to help overcome the stress together. In 2018 Canada adopted a Strategic Plan for Military Families, which states explicitly that families’ well-being is critical to the army’s operational readiness.
• Financial benefits and employment. If a veteran acquires a serious disability, his spouse may be eligible for a lifelong pension or a one-time compensation. To help widows and widowers, Canada has a vocational training and job search program. For example, Career Transition Services provides counseling and grants to veterans’ family members for starting a business or paying for courses. Children of service members have advantages when applying to the civil service.

Economic effect. Canada emphasizes that investment in the adaptation of veterans and their families reduces long-term spending on health care and social assistance. Educated children of fallen soldiers will be able to support themselves in the future instead of depending on state payments. The social effect shows in the fact that Canadian service members know that in the worst case their families will not be left without care. This raises the army’s morale and strengthens the standing of the Armed Forces in public opinion. Following the example of other NATO countries, Canada seeks to improve family programs in order to compete with the civilian labor market for personnel: in 2021 a plan to modernize benefits was launched, since insufficient family support is regarded as one of the factors in attrition from the military.

United Kingdom

The United Kingdom has long military traditions and in recent years has systematized assistance to military families through the concept of the “Armed Forces Covenant.” It is a kind of social agreement that was enshrined in law in 2011. The Covenant proclaims the commitment of the state and the people not to place veterans and their families at a disadvantage compared with other citizens and, in certain cases, to give them preferences in gratitude for their service. Under this Covenant, Britain implements the following practices:

• Education and children of service members. British schools that educate children of service personnel receive additional funds, the so-called Service Pupil Premium (a premium for pupils from military families). In 2023 this supplement is £335 per year for each such child. The money goes to schools for additional educational needs, such as hiring assistants and psychologists and providing extra classes, so that children do not fall behind because of frequent moves or stress linked to their parents’ service. There are also special “school packages” of support when a child transfers to a new school because of a change in the parents’ place of service, so that the transition is painless.
• Housing and finance. British service members are entitled to service accommodation at a preferential rent and, after retirement, to support in buying their own home (shared ownership programs and so on). For the families of the fallen there is a system of pensions and insurance payouts (War Widow(er) Pension). Veterans’ families also receive priority access to some state and municipal services under the “no worse off than others” principle (for example, when registering with a doctor or joining the social housing queue, the local authority takes into account the family’s veteran status).
• Public organizations. Numerous charitable funds are active in Britain: the Royal British Legion, SSAFA, Help for Heroes, and others, which raise donations to help military families. They finance rehabilitation centers, provide micro-grants to families in difficulty, and look after the children of the fallen (paying for education, organizing celebrations). This activity is coordinated and supported by the state through the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust, which allocates grants for projects for veterans and their families.

Social impact. The Armed Forces Covenant is meant to strengthen public support for service members. Despite certain challenges in implementation (the latest parliamentary report acknowledges that the Covenant is so far being implemented unevenly), the very idea has set a high standard: veterans and their families deserve special treatment. This encourages businesses and communities to take initiative. For example, many companies in Britain take on commitments under the Covenant, such as hiring veterans or their partners and offering discounts to military families. At the state level, the result is greater trust of service members in the government: service members feel that their contribution is officially recognized by society, and families feel they have not been forgotten. In addition, Britain has historically faced the problem of homeless veterans; now, thanks to comprehensive support, it has managed to significantly reduce the number of cases in which veterans and their families end up below the poverty line or without a roof over their heads.

Other countries

Many other countries have similar policies. Germany and France provide generous pensions to widows and pay for the education of the children of fallen soldiers. Australia runs the Defence Community Organisation program, which looks after military families and provides services ranging from psychologists to help with relocation. Poland and the Baltic states, given the growing role of veterans since 2014, have also adopted laws on the status of veterans and war invalids that include benefits for their families (for example, priority medical care, travel discounts, university admission quotas for children).

All these examples differ in detail, but they share one thing: the understanding that investing in the families of defenders means investing in the resilience of the state and society. Where governments offer support, the public also gets actively involved – volunteer initiatives and charitable foundations emerge. As a result, an entire infrastructure of “veteran resilience” takes shape, helping families get through difficult stages (service, injury, rehabilitation, returning home) with the fewest possible losses.

The economic and social effects of investing in support for veterans' families

As international experience shows, supporting veterans' families brings manifold dividends to the state – both in monetary terms and in improved public health. Let us consider the key long-term benefits of such investments:

• Growth of human capital. Education benefits for veterans' children mean that more young people will obtain a university degree, a profession and a well-paid job. This increases tax revenues in the future and reduces the risk of unemployment among this group of the population. The US experience with the GI Bill proves that investment in education pays off many times over (almost 7 dollars of benefit for every 1 dollar invested). In Ukraine, where thousands of children have lost their parents in the war, similar scholarships and university quotas will make it possible to raise a new generation of specialists who will become a pillar of the economy instead of needing assistance.
• Relieving the social system. When the state helps a veteran's family in time (a cash payment, free kindergarten or school meals, payment for treatment, etc.), the family is more likely to remain stable. This prevents phenomena such as post-traumatic crises, homelessness and family conflicts, which ultimately still fall as a burden on the budget (through shelters, the police, hospitals). In other words, it is better to invest “on the shore” than to deal with the consequences later. According to estimates by the US Department of Veterans Affairs, high-quality medical and psychological care for veterans and their families reduces the economic burden on society by cutting emergency medical costs and raising the labor productivity of former service members.
• Strengthening labor potential and entrepreneurship. Military families are mobile, disciplined and adaptable people. Many veterans start businesses after retiring from service. By supporting them at the start (with tax benefits and microloans), the state stimulates entrepreneurship among veterans, which creates jobs and returns funds to the economy. According to the US Department of Veterans Affairs, veteran-owned businesses have contributed hundreds of billions of dollars to the country's economy over recent decades. In Ukraine, a veteran business sector is already taking shape, and supporting families (for example, teaching wives/husbands the basics of entrepreneurship, grants) can significantly expand this sector.
• Social cohesion and trust. Economic benefits are closely intertwined with social ones. When society sees that veterans are not left behind and their families are not reduced to begging, social capital and trust in the state are strengthened. Citizens are confident that the state will support them in a crisis; soldiers, police officers, rescuers and other high-risk professions feel respected. All of this creates a more stable environment for doing business and attracting investment (since social stability is a necessary condition for economic development).
• Reputational and geopolitical bonuses. Caring for veterans enhances a country's international standing. Partners see that Ukraine treats its defenders responsibly and therefore deserves further support. In addition, good treatment of veterans is an important argument in the moral dimension of the war: it demonstrates that we value everyone who defends the homeland, in contrast to the enemy, which often abandons its own soldiers to their fate. This strengthens the coalition of democratic countries around Ukraine, because shared values are the foundation of strong alliances.

Thus, investing in veterans' families is an investment in human capital, economic growth and social unity. Through support for families, various countries have achieved both GDP growth and better demographic indicators (veterans start families and have children, knowing they will be helped) and a lower crime rate (since socially protected groups are less prone to offenses). It is extremely important for Ukraine, which is now devoting colossal resources to defense, to see these long-term benefits and not begrudge funds for social programs for veterans and their loved ones.

Proposals for Ukraine: the path to the 

“Architecture of Resilience”

Having analyzed international experience and the current challenges facing our state, I would like to propose several strategic steps to support veterans' families. As head of the Veterans Reintegration Institute “Architecture of Resilience”, I am convinced that such steps will help build a strong system in Ukraine in which no defender and no family is left without attention.

1. Enshrine in legislation the principle of special treatment for veterans and their families. We need a Ukrainian analogue of the Armed Forces Covenant – perhaps in the form of a nationwide program or a law “On the Status of Families of War Veterans”. It should proclaim that defenders' families cannot be discriminated against in access to services, but on the contrary receive priority or additional guarantees in education, healthcare and social protection. This will create a framework for all subsequent policies. It is important that such a document is not a mere declaration but contains concrete obligations of the authorities.
2. Introduce a package of education benefits. I propose implementing the program “Education for Defenders”, which would provide: a) free meals in kindergartens and schools for veterans' children (at least for those who hold the status of a combatant (UBD) or who were wounded); b) targeted scholarships and grants for higher education for the children of fallen Heroes and severely wounded veterans; c) the possibility of free study at state universities for one of a veteran's children (an analogue of transferring the GI Bill). Additional points or quotas could also be set for university admission for applicants from veterans' families – this would compensate for the hardships (frequent moves, stress) that service members' children experience during their parents' service. In addition, a mechanism of education vouchers should be considered for the veterans themselves and their spouses, so that they can acquire new professions after military service without worrying about tuition fees.
3. Support families financially through tax and financial incentives. It is necessary to relieve veterans and their families of some direct expenses. For example, exemption from property tax (on an apartment or house) for the families of the fallen and for veterans with disability groups 1–2. Develop a state program of preferential mortgage lending: a low interest rate and a down payment covered by the state – so that military families can buy housing. This is an investment that will pay off through the return of these families to the community as taxpayers and participants in the economy. Introduce an increased one-time childbirth allowance for veterans' families (as a token of gratitude that the family is growing). It is also worth expanding the free recuperation program: vouchers for veterans' children to camps and sanatoriums – at the expense of the budget or partners.
4. Develop a network of family services and psychological support. In every community with a substantial number of veterans, support centers for veterans and their families should operate. Their function is a “one-stop shop” for various needs: legal consultations, help with applying for benefits, family psychological therapy, support groups among families. Social workers should have a mandate to provide patronage to the families of the fallen and the severely wounded: to visit regularly, learn about problems, and act as intermediaries between the family and the authorities (similar to the case managers mentioned at veterans' forums). Separately, a program “Hero's Wife” / “Heroine's Husband” should be implemented – retraining courses, support for business initiatives, psychological relief for veterans' spouses. After all, often, while the defender is at the front or in treatment, it is the other half who carries the family – and needs our help to prevent professional burnout and the breakup of the family.
5. Partnership with business and communities. The state should call on and encourage the private sector to join in supporting military families. It is worth establishing a label or rating “Veteran-Friendly Employer/Establishment”, under which companies that hire veterans or their relatives, or offer discounts and special services (for example, free admission of veterans' children to private clubs and sections), would receive public recognition, tax benefits or other bonuses. At the local level, communities can create boards of trustees and funds to support the families of fallen soldiers – the state could co-finance local initiatives through a subvention mechanism (for example, a community raises funds for housing for the orphans of defenders, and the state doubles that amount). This will increase social cohesion: people will see that the problem is being solved by everyone together, not only by bureaucrats.
6. Monitoring and reporting, transparency of assistance. For a policy to be effective, records must be kept that serve both as oversight and as a database for improvement. I propose creating a Unified Register of the Needs of Veterans' Families, in which the families themselves or authorized social managers would record which benefits are needed, which have been received and where problems exist. This would allow targeted responses and an assessment of program effectiveness. At the same time, an information campaign is needed: many families may simply not know their rights. A hotline and an “e-Veteran” portal should operate, where in a few clicks a family can find out about and apply for the support it is entitled to.

In conclusion, I want to stress: supporting veterans' families is not charity but an investment in the resilience of our country. Every hryvnia invested today in the education of the child of a fallen hero or in the rehabilitation of the wife of a wounded soldier will save ten hryvnias tomorrow that we would otherwise spend on overcoming the consequences of social problems. Moreover, it is our moral duty to those who risked their lives for Ukraine. Let us build a system in which veterans and their families feel that the state is also their family, a large and grateful one. Then the architecture of resilience of our society will withstand any challenge, and Ukraine will become an example for the whole world of how to honor one's defenders. Together – to victory at the front and to a dignified life after it.

Edited by Artem Honcharenko – Head of the Institute for the reintegration, rehabilitation and professional development of veterans “Architecture of Resilience”

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