Notifying the NOAA Corps when someone dies
Family member is responsible for notifying the NOAA Corps
OverviewWhen someone dies
NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) Headquarters
Phone301-713-1045
Mailing Address
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
WebsiteVisit website→
NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center — Officer Personnel Management Division
Mailing Address
Commissioned Personnel Center, 1315 East West Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center — Director
Mailing Address
Commissioned Personnel Center, 1315 East West Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Timeline
SGLI lump-sum death benefit typically paid within 30 days of a complete claim. SBP annuity processing through DFAS generally takes 30-90 days after CPC reports the death. VA burial allowance typically processed within 60-90 days. DIC claims can take 4-6 months.
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified Jul 2026
When someone dies, the NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps (NOAA Corps) must be notified. The family member is responsible for notifying the NOAA Corps.
Notification deadline: Notify CPC as soon as possible. Reporting a retiree death promptly prevents an overpayment of retired pay that would later be recouped from the estate. SGLI/VGLI death claims and the SBP annuity application should be filed without delay..
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the NOAA Corps and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Notify the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) of the officer's death:
- •Email the Officer Personnel Management Division at chief.personnelmgmt.cpc@noaa.gov
- •For retired officers, include the officer's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, last four of SSN, and your relationship to the officer
- •For active duty deaths, the officer's command typically initiates notification — confirm CPC has been engaged
- •CPC follows NOAA Corps Directives Chapter 11 (Casualties and Decedent Affairs) procedures for casualty assistance
2
File the SGLI death claim with OSGLI (active duty officers):
- •Call OSGLI (Prudential) at 1-800-419-1473 to start the claim
- •Submit VA Form SGLV 8283 (Claim for Death Benefits) with a certified copy of the death certificate
- •Designated beneficiaries can elect a lump sum or 36-month installment payment
3
Apply for the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity (retired officers):
- •Notify CPC; the death report flows to DFAS to stop retired pay and start the annuity
- •Surviving spouse files DD Form 2656-7 (Verification for Survivor Annuity) with DFAS
- •Premium overpayments and accrued unpaid retired pay are reconciled before the first annuity check
4
Update DEERS and TRICARE for surviving family members:
- •Call the Defense Manpower Data Center at 1-800-538-9552 to update DEERS to survivor status
- •New uniformed services ID cards are issued reflecting survivor eligibility
- •Select an appropriate TRICARE survivor plan based on the sponsor's status at death
5
Apply for VA survivor benefits:
- •File VA Form 21P-534EZ for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the death was service-connected
- •File VA Form 21P-530EZ for burial allowance and request a Presidential Memorial Certificate
- •Request military funeral honors and burial in a VA national cemetery if desired
- •Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000 or apply online at va.gov
6
Notify the Social Security Administration of the death at 1-800-772-1213 to stop any benefits and apply for SSA survivor benefits (separate from uniformed services benefits).
7
Notify the Thrift Savings Plan (TSP) at 1-877-968-3778 if the officer was enrolled; TSP balances pass to designated beneficiaries on TSP-3.
Required Documents
- Certified copies of the death certificate (request 6-10; nearly every benefit claim needs one)
- Officer's DD Form 214 or equivalent NOAA Corps separation/retirement document, if available
- Officer's most recent retiree account statement (RAS) for retired officers
- Marriage certificate (for surviving spouse claims)
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- Letters testamentary or court appointment of personal representative (if not the surviving spouse)
- SBP election forms and beneficiary designations on file with CPC/DFAS
- SGLI beneficiary designation (VA Form SGLV 8286) for active duty deaths
Timeline
SGLI lump-sum death benefit typically paid within 30 days of a complete claim. SBP annuity processing through DFAS generally takes 30-90 days after CPC reports the death. VA burial allowance typically processed within 60-90 days. DIC claims can take 4-6 months.
Survivor benefits
Death Gratuity
A one-time, tax-free payment authorized under 10 U.S.C. 1475 et seq. to help surviving family members of NOAA Corps officers who die on active duty or in certain inactive-duty status. The death gratuity is administered by the Secretary of Commerce (or designee) for NOAA Corps officers, mirroring the framework used by the armed forces.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse, children, or other designated next of kin of an officer who dies while on active duty or in a covered status
Amount: $100,000 (statutory amount under 10 U.S.C. 1478, subject to congressional adjustment)
How to apply: Contact the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center, Officer Personnel Management Division, at chief.personnelmgmt.cpc@noaa.gov
Learn more →Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Active duty NOAA Corps officers are automatically enrolled in SGLI at the maximum $500,000 coverage level (in $50,000 increments) unless they decline or reduce coverage. SGLI is administered by the VA and underwritten by the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI) at Prudential. Death claims are filed directly with OSGLI.
Eligibility: Designated SGLI beneficiaries of a covered active duty NOAA Corps officer
Amount: Up to $500,000, payable in a lump sum or as a 36-month installment
How to apply: Call OSGLI at 1-800-419-1473 to start the claim, or file VA Form SGLV 8283 (Claim for Death Benefits)
Learn more →Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Annuity
An ongoing monthly annuity for the surviving spouse (and/or eligible children) of a NOAA Corps officer who was retired and enrolled in SBP, or who died on active duty after becoming eligible to retire. SBP for uniformed services members is established under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 73 and pays up to 55% of the officer's elected base amount of retired pay. For NOAA Corps retirees, monthly retired pay and SBP annuities are administered through the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) under interagency arrangement.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse, former spouse, or dependent children listed as SBP beneficiaries at the time of the officer's death
Amount: Up to 55% of the officer's elected SBP base amount, paid monthly for life (spouse coverage ends if the surviving spouse remarries before age 55)
How to apply: Contact the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center to report the officer's death; CPC coordinates with DFAS to start the annuity
Learn more →TRICARE Survivor Coverage
Surviving family members of NOAA Corps officers (active duty, retired, or deceased while on active duty) remain eligible for TRICARE health coverage. Surviving spouses keep coverage unless they remarry; surviving children keep coverage to age 21 (or 23 if a full-time student). The specific TRICARE plan available depends on the sponsor's status at the time of death. DEERS enrollment must be updated to survivor status.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse and eligible dependent children enrolled in DEERS
How to apply: Update DEERS records by calling 1-800-538-9552 or visiting milConnect; then select a TRICARE plan
Learn more →VA Survivor Benefits (DIC, Burial, Cemetery)
NOAA Corps commissioned officers who served on full-time duty on or after July 29, 1945, are recognized as veterans for VA purposes. Eligible survivors may apply for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) if the death was service-connected, plus burial allowance and interment in a VA national cemetery. NOAA Corps officers wear uniforms and ranks parallel to the Navy and are eligible for military funeral honors.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse, children, or parents of an eligible NOAA Corps officer; service-connected death required for DIC
How to apply: Apply for VA benefits at va.gov or by calling 1-800-827-1000
Learn more →Frequently asked questions
Yes. The NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps is one of the nation's eight uniformed services, defined under 10 U.S.C. 101(a)(5)(B) alongside the armed forces and the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps. NOAA Corps officers wear uniforms, carry ranks parallel to the Navy, and qualify for uniformed-services benefits including SGLI, SBP, TRICARE, and VA burial honors.
Contact the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center (CPC) in Silver Spring, Maryland. The Officer Personnel Management Division (chief.personnelmgmt.cpc@noaa.gov) handles pay, benefits, separations, and casualty matters. The CPC Director can be reached at director.cpc@noaa.gov. For active duty deaths, the officer's command typically initiates the casualty notification process under NOAA Corps Directives Chapter 11 (Casualties and Decedent Affairs).
Yes. Active duty NOAA Corps officers are automatically enrolled in Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) at the maximum $500,000 coverage level unless they reduce or decline coverage. Beneficiaries file the death claim directly with OSGLI (Prudential) at 1-800-419-1473.
Yes. The Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) administers retired pay for NOAA Commissioned Officer Corps retirees under interagency arrangement, the same as for armed forces retirees. When a retiree dies, the family should notify the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center, which coordinates with DFAS to stop retired pay and start any Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity.
Yes. Surviving spouses and dependent children of NOAA Corps officers (active duty, retired, or deceased on active duty) remain eligible for TRICARE health coverage. The specific plan depends on the sponsor's status at the time of death. Update DEERS to survivor status by calling 1-800-538-9552 before selecting a plan.
Yes, generally. NOAA commissioned officers who served on full-time duty on or after July 29, 1945, are recognized as veterans for VA purposes and may be eligible for burial in a VA national cemetery, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and military funeral honors. Apply through the VA or the National Cemetery Administration.
The $100,000 statutory death gratuity under 10 U.S.C. 1475-1480 applies to NOAA Corps officers who die on active duty. The Secretary of Commerce (through CPC and OMAO) administers the gratuity for NOAA Corps officers in the same framework the Department of Defense uses for the armed forces. CPC initiates the gratuity payment as part of the casualty assistance process.
Yes. NOAA Corps officers entitled to retired pay are eligible to enroll in the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) under 10 U.S.C. Chapter 73. If the officer elected SBP coverage at retirement, the surviving spouse (or eligible child) receives a monthly annuity of up to 55% of the elected base amount. DFAS administers the annuity; CPC coordinates the death report.
Email the NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center, Officer Personnel Management Division, at chief.personnelmgmt.cpc@noaa.gov. Include the officer's full legal name, date of birth, date of death, last four digits of SSN, and your relationship. Mailing address: Commissioned Personnel Center, 1315 East West Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910. CPC notifies DFAS to stop retired pay and start any SBP annuity.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 5 benefits through the NOAA Corps. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the NOAA Corps. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
NOAA Office of Marine and Aviation Operations (OMAO) Headquarters
Phone301-713-1045
Mailing Address
Office of Marine and Aviation Operations, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910
WebsiteVisit website→
NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center — Officer Personnel Management Division
Mailing Address
Commissioned Personnel Center, 1315 East West Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
NOAA Corps Commissioned Personnel Center — Director
Mailing Address
Commissioned Personnel Center, 1315 East West Highway, 10th Floor, Silver Spring, MD 20910
Timeline
SGLI lump-sum death benefit typically paid within 30 days of a complete claim. SBP annuity processing through DFAS generally takes 30-90 days after CPC reports the death. VA burial allowance typically processed within 60-90 days. DIC claims can take 4-6 months.
WebsiteLearn more →
Verified Jul 2026