COVID-19 Military Reinstatement

What is COVID-19 Reinstatement?

Under an Executive Order signed by President Trump on January 27th, 2025, if you were involuntarily separated from Military Service due to COVID-19 vaccination requirements, you may be eligible for reinstatement to your former rank and eligible for back pay, bonuses, or other compensation that accrued during your “reinstatement period.” If you have questions about the COVID-19 Reinstatement process or to get in touch with your Branch of Service, visit "U.S. Armed Forces" below.

Things to keep in mind...

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Requirements - Your Branch of Service (BoS) will contact you about the possibility of reinstatement and walk you through the steps you must take in the process. COVID-19 Reinstatement requires a four-year service obligation. However, before committing to reinstatement and the required 4 year service obligation, you can request a conditional decision from the Service Board of Correction of Military Records (BCMR).  Once you receive the conditional BCMR decision, you can also request an official estimate from DFAS of the potential financial benefits of a COVID-19 Reinstatement, see "How Do I Apply for an Official Estimate?" below for more information.

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Taxes  Financial benefits are subject to federal and state tax withholding. 

 
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Reinstatement Period - The Reinstatement Period is the time between the separation date listed on your DD214 and the date you return to service. To obtain a copy of your DD214 online, visit Veterans' Service Records.

Can I Get a Quick Estimate of the Potential Financial Benefits Before I Apply?

If you’re considering the COVID-19 reinstatement, the Military Reinstatement Calculator may be right for you. By answering some simple questions, the online self-service tool will provide you an a quick estimate of the potential financial benefits of COVID-19 Reinstatement.
Military Reinstatement Calculator

NOTE: This tool is for informational purposes only and results are based on your inputs and may change. An official estimate will not be available until you complete the formal steps below under “How Do I Apply for an Official Estimate?”

 What are the Potential Financial Benefits of COVID-19 Reinstatement?

For applicable pay, allowances, and offsets or to see examples how pay and allowances minus offsets may impact your potential financial benefits, select the most appropriate option below.

The financial benefits you may receive is calculated by your Potential Pay and Allowances minus Required Offsets during your reinstatement period.

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Potential Pay and Allowances Include:

  • Basic Pay
  • Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS)
  • Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) or Overseas Housing Allowance (OHA)
  • Cost of Living Allowance (COLA), if applicable
  • Bonus payments recouped as a result of separation
  • Bonus payments earned during the reinstatement period
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Minus Required Offsets:

  • Wages earned from any job or self employment during reinstatement period
  • Payments received from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) during the reinstatement period (VA Disability Compensation and Education Benefits)
  • Separation Payments
  • Lump Sum Leave Payments (leave is restored)
  • SGLI and FSGLI premiums for the reinstatement period
  • Thrift Savings Plan contributions
  • Any DoD debts

The below is an example that results in pay due for E4 electing the COVID-19 Reinstatement.

Reinstatement Period: 1 Oct 2020 - 1 Sep 2025

Decorative information icon. Pay and Allowances
Decorative icon of a minus sign. Required Offsets
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 Total Financial Benefit
BP....$159,594.98 Civilian Earnings.....$(77,500.00) FITW 22%.....$17,964.29 Gross Amount Due....$161,954.12
BAH....$72,484.30 LSL....$(439.10) FICA 6.2%....$5,089.88 TD....$27,102.49
BAS....$23,006.44 SGLI....$(165.00) MEDICARE 1.45%....$1,190.37  
  AFRH....$(27.50) SITW 3.5% (OH)....$2,857.95  
  VA Debt....$(15,000.00)    
Total Pay and Allowances
$255,085.72		 Total Required Offsets
$93,131.60		 Taxable Deductions (TD)
$27,102.49		 Net Amount Due:
$137,851.63

Notes:

  • Civilian Earnings were calculated with the assumption the separated member worked 2.5 years at $15/hr with some unemployment time.
  • ​Taxes are taken from BP except for FITW/SITW which equals BP minus LSL.
  • Gross Amount equals the Total Pay and Allowances minus Total Required Offsets.
  • Net Amount Due is the potential financial benefit you would receive from reinstatement.

Key:

BP = Basic Pay Basic

BAH = Basic Allowance for Housing

BAS = Allowance for Subsistence

LSL = Lump Sum Leave Payments

AFRH = Armed Forces Retirement Home

FITW = Federal Income Tax Withholding

SITW = State Income Tax Withholding

    

In the below example civilian wages are higher than the military pay and allowances resulting in no pay due to the E5 electing the COVID-19 Reinstatement.

Reinstatement Period: 1 Oct 2020 - 1 Sep 2025

Decorative information icon. Pay and Allowances
Decorative icon of a minus sign. Required Offsets
 Total Financial Benefit
BP....$159,594.98 Civilian Earnings.....$(272,000.00) Gross Amount Due....$(9,499.32)
BAH w/Dep....$87,748.10 LSL.....$(1,053.84)  
BAS....$23,006.44 SGLI....$(1,320.00)  
  FSGLI....$(247.50)  
  AFRH....$(27.50)  
  VA Debt....$(5,200.00)  
Total Pay and Allowances
$270,349.52		 Total Required Offsets
$279,848.84		 Net Amount Due:
$0.00

Notes:

  • Civilian Earnings were calculated with the assumption the separated member worked 4 years with annual salary of $68,000.00.
  • ​Gross Amount equals the Total Pay and Allowances minus Total Required Offsets. If the amount is negative, DFAS will not place a member in debt status. 

Key:

BP = Basic Pay Basic

BAH = Basic Allowance for Housing

BAS = Allowance for Subsistence

LSL = Lump Sum Leave Payments

AFRH = Armed Forces Retirement Home

 

 

What Documentation is Required to Calculate an Official Estimate of Potential Financial Benefits?

Once you receive the conditional BCMR decision, you can also request an official estimate from DFAS of the potential financial benefits of a COVID-19 Reinstatement. Have the following documents ready so we can provide you a timely official estimate.

All Applicants:

  • Documentation showing wages from any jobs or self-employment during any year of the reinstatement period, including: all W-2s, tax return(s) (Form 1040s), pay stubs for the current year, and your spouse’s W-2s if filing taxes jointly (will be used for verification only)
  • DD214/Separation orders
  • A copy of your bonus contract (If you had a bonus contract when you separated)
  • Bank Information for any potential electronic funds transfer. For example: SF1199A -  Direct Deposit Sign-Up Form
Qualifying Life-Changing Events:

Did you know that certain life-changing events can impact your potential entitlements? If any of the below happened to you while separated, please send additional documents to ensure your estimate is correct on your first request.

  • Did you get married? Provide your marriage certificate.
  • Did you get divorced? Provide your divorce decree and any support orders, such as child support.
  • Did you have a baby or adopt a dependent? Provide a birth certificate or letter from an authorized adoption agency.
  • Did your dependent pass away? Provide a death certificate.
  • Did your dependent child turn 21 and go to college? Provide a proof of School Registration for any year they were in school.
  • Any other changes in dependency status? Please provide documentation to prove member-dependent relationship.

How Do I Apply for an Official Estimate?

Your Branch of Service (BoS) will contact you to initiate the reinstatement process and provide required steps you must take. For questions about initiating the process, visit your BoS or recruiter. Follow the below steps after you have been in contact with your BoS and DFAS has contacted you directly for supporting documentation. 

1. Gather the Required Documents

To understand what documents are required, see What Documentation is Required to Calculate an Estimate of Potential Financial Benefits? Failure to provide supporting documents may delay or prevent receipt of your estimate.

2. Request an Official Estimate

Submit your request for an official estimate and required documentation via AskDFAS.

AskDFAS submit button, click to submit your packet to request an installment payment.

After submitting your claim via AskDFAS, a ticket number will be emailed to you for reference and updates on your request. Please keep this ticket number until a final determination.
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U.S. Armed Forces

If you have specific questions about the COVID-19 Reinstatement process or to get in touch with your Branch of Service, click on the link below.
Military Department Review Boards
Army
Air Force
Space Force
Navy
Marine Corps

COVID-19 Reinstatement Resources and Guidance

Page Updated: April 21, 2025