Supporting Military Spouse Self-Employment Through Child Care Fee Assistance

At Operation Child Care Project™, we know that no two military families are the same—and neither are their employment paths. In our most recent live session, our founder and CEO Kayla Corbitt walked through an important topic that impacts many military families: how self-employment affects eligibility for Department of Defense (DOD) military child care fee assistance.

Many military spouses build careers through self-employment, freelancing, or owning a business, often out of necessity due to frequent relocations and limited access to local employment opportunities. What’s less widely known is that self-employment does count toward eligibility for the DOD child care assistance program, and our session focused on how families can navigate this process with confidence.

Kayla explained that eligibility for fee assistance depends on the number of hours worked. For full-time support, a spouse must show at least 100 hours of work per month. For part-time assistance, the requirement is 16 hours per week. These benchmarks apply whether the spouse is an independent contractor, owns a business, earns rental income, or works in a seasonal or project-based role.

We also discussed the documentation needed to apply. While some families may not have traditional pay stubs or tax returns, the DOD provides flexibility through self-employment certification forms. These can be completed to estimate gross income, typically based on minimum wage calculations. This option helps ensure that nontraditional earners are not excluded from support.

Kayla also highlighted a few critical updates. Both the Air Force and the Army have issued new policy guidance around self-employment and part-time work, including updated worksheets and guidance for families and providers. However, the policy landscape remains challenging. Families often report confusion about gross versus net income, inconsistent guidance from program administrators, and uncertainty about which state they should report income from, especially when moving frequently. These are real concerns—and why we remain committed to helping military families understand their options and avoid unnecessary delays or denials.

Entrepreneurship can be empowering for military spouses, but it also comes with obstacles. From isolation in new duty stations to navigating federal program requirements, running a business while raising children and supporting a service member is no small task. This is why our team is here: to help families get answers, feel supported, and access the benefits available to them.

If you missed the session or want to revisit it, you can find the full recording on our YouTube channel and Facebook page. We encourage you to share these videos with other families who may be trying to understand if they qualify.

To learn more about how self-employment impacts your child care fee assistance eligibility, or if you need help getting started, please reach out through our case management system. Our team is ready to walk with you through every step of the process.

Relevant Links and Resources:

• OCC Project YouTube Channel

• OCC Project Facebook Page

• OCC Project Case Management Portal

• DOD Fee Assistance Program Details