MARINE CORPS BASE CAMP PENDLETON, Calif. -- There’s no compensation for the death of a loved one, but the Department of Defense is making an effort to ease the hardship for families in mourning with a nearly tenfold increase in the “death gratuity.”
The hike is retroactive to Oct. 1, 2001 — so survivors of servicemembers killed on or after that date are entitled to an additional payment of $87,580.
On July 1, the Department of Defense announced the increase in the death gratuity, given to survivors of servicemembers killed in hostile action in a designated combat zone, while training for combat or performing hazardous duty. The amount went from $12,420 to $100,000 — an immediate, lump-sum cash payment to survivors.
Designated combat operations that qualify include Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. Training and hazardous duties that qualify range from aerial flight to confidence and obstacle course deaths.
“Our responsibility is to take the family members through the process and make sure their needs are met, both physically and emotionally,” said Bill Bonney, the 1st Marine Division family readiness coordinator, who is informing families about the increase.
The Marine Corps Casualty Section at Head- quarters Marine Corps also is spreading the word via U.S. mail — and already is re-sponding to families coming forward.
“We have seen an increase in the calls received (about the gratuity),” said Connie Pitt, a human resources specialist at the Marine Corps Casualty Section. “We have been giving information on when it will be paid out.”
“So far nothing has been paid out,” said Chief Warrant Officer Richard Mahoney, head of system liaisons and procedures at the Defense Finance and Accounting Service in Kansas City, Mo. “We are still waiting on responses.”
A total of $47 million is expected to be paid out as a result of the increase, Mahoney said.
The money will come from the $82 billion emergency budget bill passed to support current combat operations and to provide reconstruction in Asia due to the tsunami.
“No amount of monetary compensation or level of assistance can replace a human life,” DoD officials stated in a DoD release. “However, it is our country’s duty to recognize the loss of a servicemember with dignified and appropriate support for the family members left behind.”
Procedures for making the payments are still being worked out, Bonney said. It may take several months to identify eligible beneficiaries and cut checks, he said.
“Once a servicemember dies, the families tend to withdraw from the Marine Corps,” explained Bonney, who recently retired after 22 years in the Marine Corps. “It’s the Marine Corps’ responsibility to push information out to reach as many people as we can.”
Eligible family members will be contacted by phone or mail. However, surviving family members who believe they may be eligible can call the Marine Corps Casualty Office at (800) 847-1597.