The Special Needs Program (SNP) formerly the Exceptional Family Member Program is designed to assist, through selective assignments, military personnel with family members having special needs. An effort is made to assign personnel to areas that have the agencies and facilities necessary to meet the needs of the special family member.
The program provides assistance to all active duty members who have family members with physical, emotional, mental, or educational disabilities. It also provides information and referral about support services in the local community.
The SNP also accomplishes Facility Determinations & Relocation Clearances (DD Form 1466). All SNP questions should be directed to the SNP officer of the Family Advocacy Program. See contacts/links.
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The following are answers to some frequently asked questions regarding the program (extracted from the AFPC website):
Q: What is the definition of "family member" under the Humanitarian/Exceptional Family Member Programs?
A: For the purpose of humanitarian consideration, family members are defined as your spouse, child, father, mother, father-in-law, mother-in-law, person in loco parentis, or other person(s) actually residing in your household who are dependent on you for over half of their financial support. Stepparents qualify as a family member under this program if they meet the basic criteria for in loco parentis. While brothers and sisters are not usually included in the "family member" definition for humanitarian consideration, cases involving a terminal illness of a brother or sister can be considered as an exception to policy.
A: For the purpose of EFMP consideration, family member is limited to your civilian spouse, child, or other person actually residing in your household who is dependent on you for over half of their financial support.
Q: How do I apply for consideration under the program(s)?
A: Your local MPF can assist you in preparing an application according to AFI 36-2110, attachment 7. The attachment will also identify the required endorsements and inputs for either type application. If you submit your application while on leave away from your assigned base, submit it through the nearest military installation if that is feasible. If not feasible, your request can be submitted direct to us. When a request is not processed through your home base MPF, your commander's endorsement is not required.
Q: How long does it take to process a request?
A: There really is no "normal" processing time, as each case is different and is considered on its own merits. However, as a rule, humanitarian requests can usually be finalized within one to two weeks from the date received by us. For EFMP requests, two to four weeks is closer to the "norm." However, many factors can affect the process. Certain situations require specific actions that can add to the processing time. Some of these are the need to process a DEROS curtailment when the member is assigned overseas and will not finish his or her complete tour, retraining action, and conducting a facility determination for EFMP requests to ensure the needed services are available at possible assignment location. There is more, but rest assured that we are committed to working each request as quickly as possible, and are always looking for ways to shorten the processing time.
Q: I currently have a family member enrolled in the EFMP. When I am notified of an assignment and find the services my family needs are not available at that location, will I automatically be provided an alternate assignment?
A: No. Reassignments under the EFMP are not automatic. Although enrollment in the program is mandatory, reassignment consideration is voluntary. Therefore, if you receive notification adequate services for your family member is not available at a projected location, you must submit a formal request if you desire an alternate assignment.