(a) The benefits population is defined by roles. There are roles that have a direct affiliation with the DoD, such as an active duty Service member, or those that have an association to someone who is affiliated, such as the spouse of an active duty member. This section reflects benefit eligibility established by law and affiliated DoD policy, and covers the roles that either receive CHC, direct care at an MTF, commissary, exchange, and MWR benefits, or are only affiliated to be issued a DoD-authorized CAC or uniformed services ID card. Sections 161.10 through 161.22 identify the categories of eligible persons and their authorized benefits as they would be recorded in the Defense Eligibility Enrollment Reporting System (DEERS).
(1) Sections 161.10 through 161.22 reflect the eligibility of persons for benefits.
(2) A sponsor's begin date for benefit eligibility is based on the date the sponsor begins their affiliation with the Department.
(3) A dependent's begin date for benefit eligibility is based on the date the dependent becomes associated as an eligible dependent to an eligible sponsor.
(4) Guidance on benefit eligibility begin dates and ID card expiration dates based on benefits will be maintained at http://www.cac.mil.
(5) Refer to the figure for abbreviations for the tables in this subpart.
Figure--Benefits Table Abbreviations------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------CHC............................... civilian health care.DC................................ direct care at MTFs.C................................. commissary privileges.MWR............................... MWR privileges.E................................. exchange privileges.------------------------------------------------------------------------