DOD Casualty Assistance Program (DOD CAO)

Death Gratuity

A lump-sum, tax-exempt payment paid to the designated beneficiary of a service member who dies on active duty, on active or inactive duty for training, or within 120 days of release from active duty when the death is service-connected. The service member designates beneficiaries (in 10% increments, totaling up to 100%) on DD Form 93 (Record of Emergency Data). If no designation exists, a statutory hierarchy applies. Payment is typically issued within 72 hours of receipt of DD Form 397.

Amount: $100,000 (tax-exempt, lump sum)

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

Low-cost group term life insurance for active-duty service members. Active-duty members are automatically enrolled at the maximum coverage level unless they opt down. Beneficiaries are designated by the service member through the SGLI Online Enrollment System (SOES) via milConnect. After a death, the designated beneficiaries file VA Form SGLV 8283 (Claim for Death Benefits) to receive the payout.

Amount: Coverage up to $500,000 in $50,000 increments

Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI)

Life insurance on the spouse and dependent children of a service member who has full-time SGLI coverage. Spouse coverage is elected by the service member (premium based on spouse age); dependent child coverage is automatic and free. If a covered family member dies, the service member files the claim and receives the payout.

Amount: Spouse: up to $100,000 (not exceeding the service member's SGLI coverage). Dependent child: $10,000 per child at no cost

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

A tax-free monthly payment from the VA to eligible survivors of service members who died in the line of duty or veterans whose death was service-connected. The CAO assists with the initial DIC claim, which is processed by the Department of Veterans Affairs separately from DOD benefits. Surviving spouses, unmarried children under 18 (or under 23 if in school), and qualifying parents may be eligible.

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

A continuous monthly annuity that replaces a portion of military retired pay for surviving spouses and dependent children. For active-duty deaths in the line of duty, surviving spouses are generally eligible for an SBP annuity (often paid through the Special Survivor Indemnity Allowance and related programs). Premiums are deducted from the retiree's gross retired pay during life; the government partially funds the cost. Beneficiaries report a death to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) to begin annuity payments.

Military Funeral Honors

Eligible veterans and active-duty service members receive military funeral honors at no cost to the family. Honors include the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag and the playing of Taps by a uniformed military detail. The Casualty Assistance Officer or funeral director coordinates the request.

Amount: No cost to the family

VA Burial Allowance and Memorial Items

The VA provides a burial allowance to help pay for funeral, burial, and transportation costs, plus burial in a VA national cemetery, government-furnished headstones and markers, and Presidential Memorial Certificates. Many of these items are coordinated by the Casualty Assistance Officer alongside the VA.

TRICARE Survivor Coverage

Surviving spouses and dependent children of a service member who dies on active duty remain eligible for TRICARE health coverage. Surviving spouses are categorized as "transitional survivors" for the first three years (with active-duty family member benefits) and as "survivors" thereafter. Dependent children remain eligible under their normal rules. The Casualty Assistance Officer helps the family update DEERS (Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System) and obtain new dependent ID cards.