Washington, DC - The U. S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) published final regulations today to give military spouses of deceased and 100 percent disabled veterans as much time as they need to apply for a federal job under the military spouse hiring authority.

"Military spouses make countless sacrifices for our nation through their dedication and support on the home front while their loved ones are serving," said OPM Director John Berry. "In recognition of their sacrifice, this rule will help military spouses find employment in the government."

President Obama, Vice President Biden, First Lady Michelle Obama and Dr. Jill Biden are dedicated to strengthening military families and honoring those who served. Previously, certain military spouses and widows/widowers could be non-competitively appointed to a federal job within a limited two-year time frame after their spouse died or became totally disabled. However, many spouses were not prepared to enter the workforce within this two-year time period because they were still grieving, enrolled in educational and/or training programs, or were caring for children or their disabled spouse. The final regulations recognize that two years may not be enough time for these spouses to seek and obtain a federal job.

OPM continues to track the number of military spouses and widows/widowers hired by the federal government.  The military spouses' noncompetitive hiring authority, which first became effective on September 11, 2009, allows certain spouses who are not already federal employees to apply directly to agency job opportunity announcements, without having to compete with other applicants.  Between October 2009 and October 2010, 887 military spouses were hired. This is a significant increase over the 58 military spouses who were hired in the first quarter after this hiring authority was launched.

To view the Federal Register notice, please visit http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/FR-2011-08-31/pdf/2011-22268.pdf.