Military Insurance Programs Assist Injured Servicemembers
Posted: March 10, 2009
RELATED ARTICLES:
Every loan is backed by a 15-day, no-cost return policy.
If, for any reason, you are not completely satisfied, you can cancel your loan within 15 days at no cost--guaranteed.
Military servicemembers who have suffered serious injuries resulting from their wartime service can get financial help thanks to two congressionally legislated military insurance programs, a senior U.S. military officer said recently.
Congress established the Traumatic Servicemembers Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) program in 2005 in response to the experiences of some former and current military members who found themselves financially strapped after they suffered severe injuries during the war against terrorism. Coverage applies to active-duty and reserve-component members.
“This [military insurance] program provides up to $100,000 per event, depending on [the type of] injury,” according to Army Col. John Sackett, chief of the Combat-Related Special Compensation (CRSC) and and TSGLI divisions at U.S. Army Human Resources Command, in Alexandria, Va.
All servicemembers covered under military insurance known as Servicemembers Group Life Insurance program, whether active duty, reserve or National Guard, were enrolled for TSGLI coverage on Dec. 1, 2005.
The Army has paid out more than $126 million in military insurance under TSGLI.
The TSGLI benefit has both retroactive and prospective aspects. The benefit is provided retroactively for servicemembers who suffered severe combat-zone-related injuries between Oct. 7, 2001, and Dec. 1, 2005. The prospective aspect applies to servicemembers with injuries received “any time, anywhere” from Dec. 1, 2005, forward.
Currently, TSGLI doesn’t offer compensation for veterans who’ve developed post-traumatic stress disorder as the result of battlefield service.
Yet, military veterans without military insurance to cover combat-zone-related Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder may be eligible for financial aid under the Combat-Related Special Compensation program, which became effective June 1, 2003.
The Combat-Related Special Compensation program provides compensation for eligible retired veterans with combat-related injuries who have 20 years of military service and have received a U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs disability rating of 10 to 100 percent.
There is currently legislation in Congress that would open up eligibility for both programs.
Related Articles:
