Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance: helping heroes in times of need
What is it'
Traumatic Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) provides financial support to traumatically injured Soldiers and their Families. Qualifying Soldiers receive a tax-free payment between $25,000 and $100,000 per traumatic event based on the injury. The TSGLI benefit is not intended to serve as income replacement and will not affect other compensation determinations.
Traumatic injuries covered by TSGLI are defined as severe trauma from an external force that is physical in nature. Examples include: loss of sight, paralysis, limb salvage, facial reconstruction, severe burns or loss of activities of daily living (ADL) functions due to traumatic brain injuries or other traumatic injuries, which focus on the Soldier's need for assistance.
TSGLI is a congressionally mandated program that began on Dec. 1, 2005. All Soldiers from that point forward who elected Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) pay an additional $1 for TSGLI, no matter what the level of SGLI coverage. In addition, Soldiers who incurred qualifying traumatic injuries from Oct. 7, 2001, through Nov. 30, 2005, while on orders overseas in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF) or Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or in a combat zone are covered retroactively by TSGLI, regardless of whether they had SGLI at the time of their injury.
What has the Army done'
To better educate claimants about TSGLI, the program launched an extensive outreach effort that has included messages to key audiences such as Soldiers, families, Army leadership, and medical command staff; media outreach, educational materials, and an enhanced Web site, along with numerous appearances and briefings at significant events, CONUS and OCONUS.
Deploying TSGLI/Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) Advocates (TCAs) at 13 critical Medical Treatment Facilities (MTFs) across the country has been an important part of the outreach effort. TCAs provide consistent advice and claims assistance to all Soldiers and family members so they can quickly and accurately file TSGLI claims.
Army TSGLI has paid out more than $255 million to over 4,500 Soldiers, since Dec. 1, 2005.
Why is TSGLI important to the Army'
TSGLI is part of the overall Army's effort to care for wounded and injured warriors by helping Soldiers and their families to deal with the aftermath of suffering a traumatic injury - either in combat or at home.
Resources:
<a href="http://www.tsgli.army.mil" target="_blank">Army TSGLI Web Site</a>
TSGLI Email: <a href="mailto:tsgli@conus.army.mil">Army tsgli@conus.army.mil</a>
Army TSGLI Toll-Free Number: 1-800-237-1336
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