OPM to expand hiring benefit for some military spouses

The Office of Personnel Management plans to give certain military spouses expanded benefits from special federal hiring provisions.

Spouses may now get federal jobs without going through the regular competitive hiring process within two years after their spouse dies or becomes permanently disabled. A proposal published in Wednesday's Federal Register would give "spouses of deceased and 100 percent disabled veterans as much time as they need to benefit from the military spouse hiring authority," OPM announced.

"All of these families have made sacrifices for our nation. Some have made the ultimate sacrifice. President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are dedicated to strengthening military families and honoring those who served," said OPM Director John Berry. "Through programs like the President's Veterans Employment Initiative and the military spouse hiring authority, we are helping thousands of military families and veterans not only survive, but thrive in tough times. And in return, we're getting some of the best, brightest, hardest-working Americans into the Federal workforceto protect and serve their fellow citizens as civilians."

Under the military spouses' noncompetitive hiring authority, spouses who are not already federal employees can apply for openings without having to compete with other applicants. From October 2009 and October of last year, 887 military spouses were hired.

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