Dealing with loss is never an easy thing. For military families, the worst thing that can happen to them is to hear that they’ve lost a family member in service. For military spouses, the loss of their partners prompts them to face major life adjustments, which usually include rearing their children as a single parent. Fortunately, there are benefits and support groups that can help survivors cope with their loss.

There is a program that gives family members financial help before any other survival benefits are available to them. This onetime nontaxable payment is known as military death gratuity. The US Department of Defense shells out $100,000 for survivors of service members who died under certain conditions. Details about the eligibility and benefits are on www.military.com, while the actual Claim Certification and Voucher for Death Gratuity Payment form (a.k.a. DD Form 397) can be downloaded here. The form can be submitted to any Casualty Assistance Center. Here is a directory with the addresses of all centers.

For families who need more than a onetime gratuity, there is the Survivors’ Pension benefit, which is payable to a low-income, unremarried spouse and unmarried children of a deceased veteran. Details about eligibility can be found in the US Department of Veterans’ Affairs website. The claim application form can be downloaded here and can be mailed to any of three VA offices in Philadelphia, Milwaukee, or St. Paul.

Aside from financial issues, there are also matters of the heart. Death is, of course, a heavy burden one does not need to bear alone, and the military has chaplains who provide moral and mental support. The US Chaplain Corps takes care of the spiritual well-being of enlisted soldiers and their families. In the case of a fallen soldier, the chaplain may go to their family. Their mission is to guide the family in their time of grief and assist them in any spiritual matter.

If a man of the cloth is not enough, there are volunteer communities that can help as well. One such community is TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors). TAPS helpline is 800-959-TAPS (8277) and is available 24-7. Joining them via their website keeps survivors up-to-date with events and news that may help their situation.

References

US Department of Veterans Affairs. “Survivors Pension.” Accessed April 21, 2017. http://www.benefits.va.gov/pension/spousepen.asp.

Military.com. “Death Gratuity.” Accessed April 19, 2017. http://www.military.com/benefits/survivor-benefits/death-gratuity.html.

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