Casualty & Survivor Support
A Survivor's Starting Point: Benefits & Who Helps
A gentle overview of the key survivor benefits, the casualty assistance officer's role, and where to turn for grief support.
- A Casualty Assistance Officer is assigned to guide survivors through benefits and entitlements — you don't start alone.
- Key benefits can include SGLI, the Death Gratuity, Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), and survivor education benefits.
- Gold Star and surviving-family liaisons exist specifically to help you navigate the system.
- Free grief support and counseling are available for as long as you need them.
The free official program
Survivor Support (official, free) — Casualty assistance and survivor support are provided through the services and the official program. Call 800-342-9647.
Frequently asked
Where do survivors start with military benefits?
With your assigned Casualty Assistance Officer, who walks you through entitlements like SGLI, DIC and education benefits. Free grief support is also available.
Tools that help
More on Casualty & Survivor Support
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