U.S. Coast Guard Casualty Assistance Program (USCG Casualty)

Death Gratuity

A lump-sum, tax-exempt payment for the eligible beneficiary of a Coast Guard 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 Coast Guard uses the same statutory program as the DOD branches. Beneficiaries are designated on DD Form 93 (Record of Emergency Data); if no designation exists, a statutory next-of-kin 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 term life insurance administered by the VA for all uniformed services, including the Coast Guard. Maximum coverage is $500,000 in $50,000 increments; coverage is automatic at the maximum amount for new members unless the member elects to reduce or decline it. The CACO helps the beneficiary file VA Form SGLV 8283 (Claim for Death Benefits) for the lump sum or 36-month installment payout. Family SGLI (FSGLI) provides up to $100,000 of coverage on the member's spouse — this spouse coverage is premium-based and cannot exceed the member's own SGLI amount — and $10,000 of coverage on each dependent child at no cost.

Amount: Up to $500,000 (SGLI); FSGLI spouse up to $100,000 (premium-based) and each dependent child $10,000 (child coverage at no cost)

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

A monthly annuity paid to the surviving spouse (or eligible children) of a Coast Guard retiree, or of an active-duty member who dies in the line of duty. Active-duty deaths in the line of duty produce automatic SBP coverage for the spouse with no premium. Retired members elect SBP coverage at retirement on DD Form 2656 (Data for Payment of Retired Personnel); reducing or declining coverage requires a notarized spouse signature. SBP is administered by the Coast Guard Pay and Personnel Center, Retiree and Annuitant Services (PPC-RAS), not by DFAS.

Amount: Up to 55% of the member's retired pay base (subject to SBP offset and election rules)

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

A tax-free monthly VA benefit paid to eligible surviving spouses, children, and parents of service members and veterans whose death was service-connected. DIC is administered by the VA; the CACO and PPC RAS coordinate the application with the survivor. DIC eligibility applies equally to Coast Guard families.

Burial Benefits and Military Funeral Honors

Coast Guard veterans (including reservists with qualifying service, NOAA Corps, and Public Health Service members) are eligible for VA burial benefits: burial in a VA national cemetery, a government-furnished headstone or marker, a Presidential Memorial Certificate, and a burial flag. Military Funeral Honors for Coast Guard veterans are coordinated through regional Coast Guard MFH coordinators and may include a two-person uniformed detail, the playing of Taps, and the folding and presentation of the U.S. flag. WWII Merchant Mariners receive MFH from the Navy under their wartime Naval Orders. Urgent MFH requests (24-72 hour lead time) go to the Casualty Matters Chief duty phone at 571-266-2375.

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) — Bereavement Aid

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance is the Coast Guard's nonprofit mutual aid society. For surviving spouses and dependents, CGMA offers an interest-free Funeral Expenses Loan to bridge funeral costs while statutory benefits process, an Emergency Travel Loan to cover travel when a family member is critically ill or has died, and a Stillborn Funeral Grant of up to $1,500. CGMA is independent of the federal Casualty Assistance Program but works alongside it.

Amount: Funeral Expenses Loan and Emergency Travel Loan are interest-free; Stillborn Funeral Grant up to $1,500

Gold Star Program

Long-term recognition and support for the immediate families of Coast Guard members who died on active duty in the line of duty. Includes a Gold Star Lapel Button for eligible primary next of kin and continued access to Coast Guard support services beyond the initial CACO assignment.