The mission of TAPS is to offer comfort and support for surviving families of military loss regardless of the location or manner of their death. Part of that commitment includes advocating for improvements in programs and services provided by the Federal government through the Department of Defense (DoD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), Department of Education (DoED), Department of Labor (DOL), Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), as well as State and local governments. TAPS also works to advance policy and legislation to strengthen the families of America’s fallen military heroes.
For more information on TAPS Military Survivor Advocacy, contact us at policy@taps.org.
A top priority for TAPS is to secure the right for surviving spouses to remarry at any age and and not forfeit loss of financial benefits such as education, medical care, commissary and exchange benefits.
TAPS is working with Congress to pass the Caring for Survivors Act, to bring Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments in line with benefits for surviving spouses of federal employees.
TAPS is the leading voice for the families of those who died as a result of toxic exposure illnesses, is co-chair of the Toxic Exposure in the American Military (TEAM) Coalition, and is working to ensure proper implementation for veterans and survivors.
TAPS has been on the front lines of suicide postvention efforts to support military families grieving deaths by suicide, and supports prioritizing mental health care as an essential element to overall wellness and readiness.
The Gold Star Families Day Act will create a federal holiday as a national day of remembrance for all those who have lost a loved one to military service, regardless of the manner, place, or time of death including non-combat deaths.
TAPS supports a minimum of 50% of the Death Gratuity for eligible surviving spouses and to change the name to more accurately reflect the intended purpose of the payment and sensitivity towards newly bereaved survivors.
TAPS supports the Health Care Fairness for Military Families Act which would allow TRICARE young adults to remain on their parents' policy up to age 26.
TAPS long-term goal is to bring all survivors into the Fry Scholarship and phase out the Vietnam Era Dependents Education Assistance (Chapter 35).
TAPS urges Congress to preserve Commissary benefits, maintain funding for Exchanges and allow surviving spouses who remarry under 55 to retain their benefits.
TAPS worked with fellow veteran service organizations and advocates to pass the comprehensive bipartisan law signed on August 10, 2022.
Bonnie Carroll presented TAPS Statement for the Record before the Committees On Veterans' Affairs United States Senate and House of Representatives.
When a loved one's illness comes years after military service, survivors can feel disconnected from military & veteran support services. TAPS is here to help navigate this journey with you.
Several members of the TAPS Family key to efforts that ultimately axed the Widow's Tax share about their work on this historic legislation.
Statements 