Notifying the PHS Corps when someone dies
Family member is responsible for notifying the PHS Corps
OverviewWhen someone dies
Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ)
Phone240-276-9616
EmailPHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov
Mailing Address
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
WebsiteVisit website→
CCHQ Financial Services Branch (FSB) — Death Gratuity, SBP, and Pay Claims
Mailing Address
CCHQ Financial Services Branch, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
Corps Care (CCHQ) — Primary Contact for Officer Deaths
Phone240-276-9616
EmailPHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov
Mailing Address
Commissioned Corps Headquarters, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
Timeline
Death gratuity ($100,000) processed within 72 hours of receipt of completed DD-397 and death certificate; SBP annuity setup typically 30-90 days after CG Form 1884 submission to USCG PPC; SGLI claim processing 30-45 days; VA DIC claim processing 4-6 months; TRICARE survivor coverage active for spouses up to 3 years at active-duty rate
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, normal business hours (Eastern Time)
Verified Jul 2026
When someone dies, the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps (PHS Corps) must be notified. The family member is responsible for notifying the PHS Corps.
Notification deadline: As soon as possible after death — the $100,000 death gratuity is processed within 72 hours of receipt of a completed DD-397 and the death certificate.
Steps to take
Steps for notifying the PHS Corps and applying for survivor benefits:
1
Notify Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ) as soon as possible:
- •Call Corps Care at 240-276-9616 (primary contact for officer deaths per CCI 383.01)
- •Or email PHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov
- •Provide: officer name, PHS Service Number (SERNO), agency assignment, next-of-kin contact, time/date/place of death, circumstances, and funeral arrangements if known
- •Do not delay notification if some information is missing
2
Send a certified copy of the death certificate to the Survivor Assistance Officer (SAO) and Financial Services Branch:
- •CCHQ Financial Services Branch, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
- •The death certificate is required to process the $100,000 death gratuity within 72 hours
- •The SAO will contact the family to determine immediate needs and counsel on benefits
3
Notify the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) for DIC, SGLI, and burial benefits:
- •Call 1-800-827-1000
- •File VA Form 21P-534EZ for Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (spouses/children)
- •File VA Form 40-1330 for a government headstone or marker
- •Beneficiary submits SGLV-8283 to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (1-800-419-1473)
4
Notify the Social Security Administration (SSA):
- •Call 1-800-772-1213 or visit a local SSA office
- •PHS officers are covered by SSA programs; survivors may be eligible for the $255 lump-sum death payment and monthly survivor benefits
5
Update the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) to maintain TRICARE coverage:
- •Call the DMDC/DEERS Support Office at 1-800-538-9552
- •Visit a uniformed services ID card office with a copy of the death certificate, or
- •Fax the death certificate to 1-800-336-4416 (primary) or 1-502-335-9980 (alternate), or
- •Mail to: Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771
- •Surviving dependents must surrender the deceased officer's ID card and apply for new ID cards reflecting survivor status (DD Form 1172-2)
6
Report the death to TRICARE's pharmacy contractor for active-duty officers:
- •Call Express Scripts at 1-877-363-1303
- •For medical and dental care, DMDC acquires information from SSA or the USPHS Commissioned Corps automatically
7
Submit benefit claim forms to CCHQ Financial Services Branch:
- •DD-397 — Death Gratuity ($100,000)
- •SF-1174 — Unpaid pay and unused leave
- •CG Form 1884 — SBP annuity application
- •PHS-4013-1 — Household goods shipment
- •SGLV-8283 — SGLI death benefit (submitted to OSGLI, not CCHQ)
8
Discuss the officer's Record of Emergency Data (DD-93) with the SAO; the form designates beneficiaries for certain entitlements and identifies who is to be notified.
9
Coordinate with the deceased officer's OPDIV (HHS Operating Division), STAFFDIV, or non-HHS agency (e.g., USCG, BOP) for additional administrative support and a designated point of contact.
Required Documents
- Certified copies of the death certificate (multiple copies — send a certified copy to CCHQ FSB, OSGLI, VA, SSA, and DEERS)
- Deceased officer's PHS Service Number (SERNO) and Social Security Number
- USPHS Commissioned Corps Statement of Service (issued by the SAO; used to claim benefits from non-PHS sources)
- Marriage certificate(s) for spousal benefits
- Birth certificates for dependent children
- Divorce decree(s) if applicable
- Deceased officer's Uniformed Services ID card (form PHS-1866-1 for active duty, DD-2 (Ret) for retired) — return to the SAO
- Officer's most recent DD-93 (Record of Emergency Data) and SGLV-8286 (SGLI election) on file
Timeline
Death gratuity ($100,000) processed within 72 hours of receipt of completed DD-397 and death certificate; SBP annuity setup typically 30-90 days after CG Form 1884 submission to USCG PPC; SGLI claim processing 30-45 days; VA DIC claim processing 4-6 months; TRICARE survivor coverage active for spouses up to 3 years at active-duty rate
Survivor benefits
Death Gratuity
A one-time, lump-sum, tax-free payment to assist survivors of an officer who dies on active duty (or within 120 days of separation from active duty) in the period immediately following the officer's death, before other benefits become available. Authorized by 42 U.S.C. 213a(a)(6) and 10 U.S.C. Chapter 75. The CCHQ Financial Services Branch (FSB) processes and disperses the death gratuity within 72 hours of receipt of a completed DD-397 and the death certificate.
Eligibility: Eligible survivors in order of precedence: surviving spouse; if no spouse, children in equal shares; if no spouse or children, designated beneficiaries per 10 U.S.C. Chapter 75
Amount: $100,000
How to apply: Submit DD-397 ("Claim Certification and Voucher for Death Gratuity Payment") with the death certificate to CCHQ Financial Services Branch, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
Learn more →Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) Annuity
A monthly annuity for surviving spouses (and eligible children) of PHS officers who die on active duty with at least 20 years of creditable service, or of retired officers who elected SBP participation. SBP is administered for PHS Corps by the U.S. Coast Guard's Pay and Personnel Center (PPC). The annuity is 55 percent of the calculated retired base pay (taxable income); for officers eligible to retire after October 1, 1985, the annuity reduces to 35 percent when the surviving spouse reaches age 62. SBP annuities are reduced dollar-for-dollar by any VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) payments.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse and eligible dependent children of an active-duty officer with 20+ years of creditable service, or a retired officer who elected SBP coverage. USCG PPC pays SBP if the officer died in the line of duty or was eligible to retire based on length of service, regardless of line-of-duty determination.
How to apply: File CG Form 1884 ("Survivor Benefit Plan Application for Annuity") with CCHQ Financial Services Branch, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
Learn more →Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)
Active-duty PHS officers are automatically insured under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance program for the current maximum of $500,000 (raised from $400,000 effective 1 March 2023 by P.L. 117-209), unless the officer elected a lesser amount or declined coverage. SGLI is administered by the VA through the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI), Prudential. Upon retirement, SGLI continues automatically for 120 days, then may be converted to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI).
Eligibility: Beneficiary(ies) designated by the officer on SGLV-8286 ("Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance Election and Certificate")
Amount: Up to $500,000 (current maximum, effective 1 March 2023); officers may elect lesser amounts in $50,000 increments
How to apply: Beneficiary completes SGLV-8283 ("Claim for Death Benefits") and submits it to the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI), PO Box 70173, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9912 (1-800-419-1473)
Learn more →Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
A tax-free monthly annuity paid by the Department of Veterans Affairs to eligible surviving spouses and children when a PHS officer dies on active duty, dies of a service-connected condition, or (for retired officers) the cause of death is attributable to a service-connected injury or disease, or the officer had a 100 percent disability rating for the last 10 years. Rates are based on the officer's rank at time of death. DIC is payable regardless of other income. By law, SBP annuities are reduced dollar-for-dollar by DIC.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse, dependent children, or dependent parents of a deceased PHS officer where cause of death meets VA criteria
How to apply: File VA Form 21P-534EZ (spouses/children) or VA Form 21P-535 (parents) with the Department of Veterans Affairs
Learn more →TRICARE Survivor Coverage
Surviving dependents of a deceased active-duty or retired PHS officer continue to be eligible for health care under the Uniformed Services health benefits program, including direct care at Military Treatment Facilities (MTFs) and civilian care under TRICARE. Per CCI 383.01, surviving spouses receive continuous TRICARE coverage for up to 3 years at the active-duty family member rate; children remain covered until age 21 (or 23 if a full-time student). Coverage ends when a survivor becomes eligible for Medicare Part A. All dependents must be enrolled in DEERS, and survivors of active-duty officers must report the death to TRICARE's pharmacy contractor (Express Scripts as of 2021) at 1-877-363-1303.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse (as long as unmarried) and eligible dependent children enrolled in DEERS
How to apply: Update DEERS enrollment by visiting a uniformed services ID card office, faxing the death certificate to DMDC at 1-800-336-4416, or mailing it to the Defense Manpower Data Center Support Office, 400 Gigling Road, Seaside, CA 93955-6771; survivors then enroll in the appropriate TRICARE survivor plan
Learn more →Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) Continuation
For an active-duty officer's survivors, the CCHQ Financial Services Branch processes up to 365 days of Basic Allowance for Housing payments following the officer's death. If dependents were residing in Government quarters on the date of death and vacate the quarters before 365 days elapse, FSB pays BAH for the remainder of the 365-day period. Authority: 37 U.S.C. 403.
Eligibility: Surviving dependents of an active-duty PHS officer
Amount: Up to 365 days of BAH at the officer's rate
How to apply: Processed automatically by CCHQ Financial Services Branch following death notification
Burial Allowance and Funeral Honors
When a PHS officer dies on active duty, the Commissioned Corps pays for usual and customary burial services up to the current maximum allowance prescribed by DoD Instruction 1344.08 ("Interment Allowances for Deceased Military Personnel"). Allowable items include preparation of remains (including cremation), casket or urn, funeral director services, limousine for the immediate family, hearse, cemetery equipment fees, and related interment expenses. Because PHS does not have an enlisted contingent, funeral military honors are typically provided by the U.S. Coast Guard or another uniformed service upon the family's request. Burial in a National Cemetery (other than Arlington) is generally available to active-duty officers; headstones and markers are provided by the VA at no cost.
Eligibility: Active-duty PHS officers (full burial allowance); retired PHS officers (transportation from MTF if applicable; National Cemetery burial; VA headstone)
How to apply: Funeral home submits Standard Form 1034 ("Public Voucher for Purchases and Services Other Than Personal") or DD-1375 ("Request for Payment of Funeral and/or Interment Expenses") to the deceased officer's OPDIV/STAFFDIV financial office; for VA headstone, file VA Form 40-1330
Learn more →Unpaid Pay, Allowances, and Unused Leave
Monthly active-duty (or retired) pay stops upon the officer's death. The estate is entitled to all unpaid pay through the date of death plus a lump-sum payment for any unused annual leave. If survivors receive a paycheck or automated payment that includes any period after the date of death, they must return it to CCHQ so a corrected payment can be issued.
Eligibility: Officer's estate (or designated beneficiary on SF-1174)
How to apply: Submit SF-1174 ("Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Services") with a copy of the death certificate to CCHQ Financial Services Branch, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
Travel and Transportation of Household Goods
Surviving dependents of an active-duty officer are entitled to Government-funded travel to the member's Home of Record (or to a Home of Selection within 3 years, extendable to 6 years through the Secretarial Process). The Commissioned Corps will pay for shipment of household goods (HHG) and one privately-owned motor vehicle (POV) to the survivors' new Home of Selection within one year of death (extensions available if the estate is in litigation). Non-temporary storage is available for up to one year.
Eligibility: Surviving spouse and dependent children of a deceased active-duty officer
How to apply: Survivor submits Form PHS-4013-1 ("Application for Shipment of Household Goods (Commissioned Officers)") to the shipping officer at the officer's last active duty station
Frequently asked questions
Call Corps Care at 240-276-9616 or email PHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov as soon as possible after the officer's death. Per Commissioned Corps Instruction 383.01 (effective 11 February 2022), this is the primary notification channel for all deaths of active-duty PHS officers. Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ) will then assign a Survivor Assistance Officer (SAO) to contact the family and coordinate benefits. Do not delay the call if some information is missing — provide what you have, including the officer's name, PHS Service Number, and the date/place of death.
The death gratuity is a one-time, tax-free, lump-sum payment of $100,000 to the eligible survivors of a PHS officer who dies on active duty or within 120 days of separation. The CCHQ Financial Services Branch (FSB) processes and disperses the death gratuity within 72 hours of receiving a completed DD-397 ("Claim Certification and Voucher for Death Gratuity Payment") and the death certificate. The payment is authorized by 42 U.S.C. 213a(a)(6) and 10 U.S.C. Chapter 75.
Yes. As one of the eight uniformed services of the United States, PHS Commissioned Corps officers and their survivors are eligible for the same core survivor programs as members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, Space Force, Coast Guard, and NOAA Corps. This includes the $100,000 death gratuity, Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP) annuity, Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI up to $500,000), VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), TRICARE survivor coverage, burial in National Cemeteries, military funeral honors, and survivor education benefits.
The Survivor Benefit Plan annuity for PHS Commissioned Corps officers is paid by the U.S. Coast Guard's Pay and Personnel Center (PPC). USCG PPC pays the SBP annuity to eligible dependents if the PHS officer died in the line of duty or was eligible for a regular or non-regular retirement based on length of service, regardless of a line-of-duty determination. Survivors apply by filing CG Form 1884 ("Survivor Benefit Plan Application for Annuity") with CCHQ Financial Services Branch in Rockville, Maryland.
Per CCI 383.01, surviving spouses of a deceased PHS officer remain eligible for TRICARE at the active-duty family member rate for up to 3 years at no cost (as long as they remain unmarried). Dependent children remain covered until age 21, or age 23 if a full-time student. All dependents must be enrolled in DEERS — call the DMDC Support Office at 1-800-538-9552 or visit a local ID card office with a copy of the death certificate. For active-duty officers, also report the death to TRICARE's pharmacy contractor (Express Scripts) at 1-877-363-1303. Survivors lose TRICARE eligibility when they become eligible for Medicare Part A.
Yes. Because the U.S. Public Health Service Commissioned Corps is a uniformed service, surviving spouses, children, and dependent parents of deceased PHS officers are eligible for VA Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC) on the same basis as survivors of Armed Forces members. DIC is a tax-free monthly annuity paid by the VA when the officer dies on active duty, dies of a service-connected condition, or (for retired officers) was rated 100 percent disabled for the 10 years preceding death. File VA Form 21P-534EZ (spouses/children) or VA Form 21P-535 (parents). Call the VA at 1-800-827-1000.
Yes. Active-duty PHS Commissioned Corps officers are automatically insured under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) for the current maximum of $500,000 (raised from $400,000 effective 1 March 2023) unless they elected a lower amount or declined coverage. Upon retirement, SGLI continues automatically for 120 days and may then be converted to Veterans' Group Life Insurance (VGLI). The beneficiary designated on the officer's SGLV-8286 form files SGLV-8283 ("Claim for Death Benefits") with the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (OSGLI), PO Box 70173, Philadelphia, PA 19176-9912 (1-800-419-1473).
Yes. PHS officers who were on active-duty status at the time of death (and retired PHS officers) are generally eligible for burial in a VA National Cemetery, and headstones or markers are furnished at no expense to the family (use VA Form 40-1330 if burial is outside a National Cemetery). Because the PHS Corps does not have an enlisted contingent, military funeral honors — including a rifle squad and bugler — are typically provided by the U.S. Coast Guard or another uniformed service upon the funeral director's request to a local military facility.
Active-duty deaths trigger a broader set of benefits, including the $100,000 death gratuity, up to 365 days of Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), full burial allowance, Government-paid transportation of remains with an official escort, and shipment of household goods to the survivors' new home. Retired-officer deaths trigger SBP (if elected), VA DIC (if eligible), final retirement pay, and National Cemetery burial, but no death gratuity (unless death occurs within 120 days of separation) and no escort or household goods shipment. CCPM Pamphlet 63 includes a side-by-side comparison and recommends that officers approaching retirement consult the CCHQ Compensation Branch before death-imminent decisions.
The Survivor Assistance Officer (SAO) at CCHQ contacts the deceased officer's family immediately after notification of death, assures them of the Commissioned Corps' interest in their welfare, determines immediate needs, advises the family and funeral home on burial entitlements, and counsels survivors on monetary and other benefits. The SAO also initiates issuance of the "USPHS Commissioned Corps Statement of Service" — the document survivors need to claim benefits from sources outside the PHS Corps (VA, SSA, civilian pension plans). The SAO coordinates with other uniformed services for funeral honors and arranges travel and transportation entitlements for the deceased officer's dependents.
Regardless of where the PHS officer was detailed at the time of death (HHS agency, Bureau of Prisons, Coast Guard, ICE, etc.), the notification goes to CCHQ via Corps Care at 240-276-9616 or PHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov. The deployment agency's Commissioned Corps Liaison is responsible for notifying CCHQ as soon as possible and designating a contact to work with the SAO. The deceased officer's OPDIV/STAFFDIV/non-HHS organization also assists with travel and transportation entitlements and pays burial expenses from its own funds, coordinated through the CCHQ Financial Services Branch.
After completing the notification process, eligible survivors can apply for 9 benefits through the PHS Corps. Each benefit has its own eligibility requirements and application process.
Keep copies of all documents submitted to the PHS Corps. Original documents submitted for verification are typically returned after processing.
Commissioned Corps Headquarters (CCHQ)
Phone240-276-9616
EmailPHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov
Mailing Address
1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
WebsiteVisit website→
CCHQ Financial Services Branch (FSB) — Death Gratuity, SBP, and Pay Claims
Mailing Address
CCHQ Financial Services Branch, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
WebsiteLearn about benefits→
Corps Care (CCHQ) — Primary Contact for Officer Deaths
Phone240-276-9616
EmailPHSCorpsCare@hhs.gov
Mailing Address
Commissioned Corps Headquarters, 1101 Wootton Parkway, Suite 300, Rockville, MD 20852
Timeline
Death gratuity ($100,000) processed within 72 hours of receipt of completed DD-397 and death certificate; SBP annuity setup typically 30-90 days after CG Form 1884 submission to USCG PPC; SGLI claim processing 30-45 days; VA DIC claim processing 4-6 months; TRICARE survivor coverage active for spouses up to 3 years at active-duty rate
WebsiteLearn more →
HoursMonday through Friday, normal business hours (Eastern Time)
Verified Jul 2026