If you were injured either on-duty or off-duty while serving in the United States Armed Forces, active duty, National Guard, or reserve, you may qualify for a tax-free benefit of up to $100,000.
The Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) program provides automatic traumatic injury coverage to everyone covered under the Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program. The program helps injured service members and their families alleviate financial burdens with a payment ranging from $25,000 to $100,000. The injury does not have to be combat related or service connected and will not affect other Veteran's Affairs (VA) disability claims.
As an example an Army Reserve member can recover under the TSGLI program if they were injured in a motorcycle accident or on a Wednesday night unrelated to reserve activity.
However, the U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs requires that service members file a claim with the government to receive these benefits, using form SGLV 8600. A 2009 U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) study found that the VA approved fewer than 63% of claims filed for a traumatic brain injury. The GAO further found that the program lacked consistency across branches and lacked assurances that decisions about benefit payments were accurate. Although the VA and Department of Defense took steps to improve the program, the VA still routinely denies claims even when the injury appears to qualify for payment of benefits.
Following a traumatic injury, it can be difficult to find and collect the documentation necessary to receive your benefits. The Kishish Law Group can help you determine whether you qualify for a claim and assist you in the TSGLI claim process, giving you the best chance at receiving the largest benefit possible. Complete our contact form below or call us now for a free and confidential case evaluation at 1 (888) 402-5552.
Eligibility and Categories of Loss
A service member is eligible for TSGLI benefits if they meet certain criteria determined by the program. Except in the case of retroactive payments described below, in general, you are eligible for benefit payments if you meet these requirements:
- Your injury occurred after October 2001
- Your injury occurred prior to your separation from the Armed Forces
- Your injury directly resulted in one of the losses covered by the program
- You suffered this loss within 2 years of your traumatic injury
- You were insured by SGLI at the time of your injury
The U.S. Department of Veteran's Affairs outlines several categories of losses covered, including, but not limited to:
- Loss of hearing, sight and/or speech
- Burns
- Paralysis
- Amputation of or damage to limbs or genitourinary functions
- Facial reconstruction
- Traumatic brain injuries and/or comas
- Hospitalization due to traumatic injuries
- Limitations on Activities of Daily Living
If your traumatic injury resulted in limitations on performing two or more Activities of Daily Living (ADL) for at least 30 days, you may qualify for a TSGLI claim on those limitations alone. The ADL include bathing, continence, dressing, eating, toileting, and transferring. If you require physical or verbal assistance to perform these tasks due to your injury, or require someone to be within arm's reach because of fluctuating ability, you may be eligible for a TSGLI benefit.
Retroactive TSGLI Payments
The Veteran's Benefits Improvement Act of 2010 expanded retroactive payments of TSGLI benefits. If you suffered a traumatic injury between October 7, 2001 and November 30, 2005, you may qualify for one of these retroactive payments, even if you did not pay for SGLI coverage. Although initially these retroactive payments were only available to service members that suffered injuries overseas as a part of Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom, Congress expanded these benefits to apply to any service member serving during this time regardless of where the injury occurred.
Do I have TSGLI claim?
The Kishish Law Group is committed to ensuring that our service men and women receive the benefits to which they are entitled. If you would like assistance in determining whether you are qualified for a TSGLI claim, help assembling that claim, or guidance through the appeal process, we can help. Let us focus on bureaucracy while you focus on recovery. Contact us using our contact form or call us at 1 (888) 402-5552.
DISCLAIMER: No attorney client relationship will exist between you and our firm until we enter into a signed Retainer/Services Agreement. Completion of this document is for informational purposes only and does not constitute a Retainer/Services Agreement. The information you obtain at this site is not, nor is it intended to be, legal advice. Contacting us does not create an attorney-client relationship. In some jurisdictions this website may be considered lawyer advertising. You should consult an attorney for advice regarding your individual situation. Click here for more information.