Servicemembers' & Veterans' Group Life Insurance
VGLI Online Policy Access
Coverage and Features
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Insurance Coverage
- SGLI
- VGLI
- Family SGLI
- SGLI Traumatic Injury Protection
Frequently Asked Questions about Traumatic Injury Protection Under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI)
General Information
Coverage
Premiums
TSGLI Eligibility and Claims
Payment of TSGLI Benefits
Changes to the TSGLI Program
Contact Information
What Is TSGLI?
The Traumatic Injury Protection Under Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) program is a rider to Servicemember’s Group Life Insurance (SGLI). The TSGLI rider provides for payment to Servicemembers who are severely injured (on or off duty) as the result of a traumatic event and suffer a loss that qualifies for payment under TSGLI.
Who are TSGLI Payments Designed to Help?
TSGLI payments are designed to help traumatically injured Servicemembers and their families with financial burdens associated with recovering from a severe injury. TSGLI payments range from $25,000 to $100,000 based on the qualifying loss suffered.
How Much Coverage Is Available?
TSGLI coverage will pay a benefit of between $25,000 and $100,000 depending on the loss directly resulting from the traumatic injury.
Who Is Covered Under TSGLI?
Every member who has SGLI also has TSGLI effective December 1, 2005. TSGLI coverage is also provided retroactively for members who incurred severe losses as a result of traumatic injuries incurred between October 7, 2001 and November 30, 2005, if the injury were incurred in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF), regardless of whether they had SGLI coverage at the time of their injury.
Effective October 1, 2011, TSGLI will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred during the period October 7, 2001 to November 30, 2005, regardless of where they occurred, and regardless of whether the member had SGLI coverage at the time of the injury. The Veterans’ Benefit Improvement Act of 2010 removes the requirement that injuries during this period be incurred in Operations Enduring or Iraqi Freedom. Follow this link to find out if you may be eligible for a TSGLI payment effective October 1, 2011.
Can The Service Member Decline TSGLI?
TSGLI coverage is automatic for those insured under basic SGLI and cannot be declined. The only way to decline TSGLI is to decline basic SGLI coverage.
Are Spouses And Children Covered By TSGLI?
No, TSGLI is not available to spouses and children under Family SGLI. It is available only to Servicemembers insured under SGLI.
Are Members Covered For TSGLI When They're Insured Under VGLI?
No. TSGLI coverage is not available to VGLI policyholders.
What Losses Are Covered and How Much Is Paid For Each Loss?
Covered losses and payment amounts are listed in the TSGLI Schedule of Losses.
For example:
| If the member has lost… | then the amount paid will be… |
|---|---|
| sight in both eyes or hearing in both ears | $100,000 |
| sight in one eye | $50,000 |
| one hand at or above the wrist or one foot at or above the ankle | $50,000 |
| four fingers on the same hand | $50,000 |
Follow this link for a complete listing of all losses that are covered under TSGLI and how much will be paid for each loss.
Are There Any Injuries Or Conditions That Are Not Covered Under TSGLI?
Yes, certain injuries and conditions are excluded from coverage. For more information on these exclusions, please contact your service department points of contact.
How Much Does TSGLI Cost?
The premium for TSGLI is a flat rate of $1 per month for most Servicemembers. Members who carry the maximum SGLI coverage of $400,000 will pay $27.00 per month for both SGLI and TSGLI.
The table below outlines the rates for various categories of SGLI coverage.
| Duty Status | Premium |
|---|---|
| Active duty members | $1.00 per month |
| Reservists or National Guard members w/full time coverage | $1.00 per month |
| Reservists or National Guard members w/part time coverage | $1.00 per year |
| Funeral honors & 1 day muster duty | No charge |
Note: These rates are determined by VA and are subject to change based on claims experience.
What Are The Eligibility Requirements For Payment Under TSGLI?
To be eligible for payment of TSGLI, you must meet all of the following requirements:
- If injured on or after December 1, 2005, you must be insured by SGLI when you experience a traumatic event. For those injured between October 7, 2001 and November 30, 2005, SGLI coverage is not required to be eligible for TSGLI.
- You must incur a scheduled loss and that loss must be a direct result of a traumatic injury.
- You must have suffered the traumatic injury prior to midnight of the day that you separate from the uniformed services.
- You must suffer a scheduled loss within 2 years (730 days) of the traumatic injury.
- You must survive for a period of not less than seven full days from the date of the traumatic injury. (The 7-day period begins on the date and time of the traumatic injury, as measured by Zulu [Greenwich Meridian] time and ends 168 full hours later).
Do you have to be in service to apply for a TSGLI benefit?
No. As long as the Servicemember experienced the traumatic event while in service and covered by SGLI, they can apply for the benefit even if they have since been discharged.
What if the traumatic injury occurred prior to the beginning of the program?
When the original TSGLI law was enacted, Congress directed that TSGLI would be retroactive to October 7, 2001, for members who incur a qualifying loss as a direct result of injuries incurred on or after October 7, 2001, through and including November 30, 2005, in Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF) or Operation Iraqi Freedom (OIF).However, effective October 1, 2011, Public Law 111-275 removes the OEF/OIF requirement for injuries incurred during the retroactive period. As a result, TSGLI coverage will be provided retroactively for members who incurred severe losses as a result of traumatic injuries incurred between October 7, 2001 and November 30, 2005, regardless of where the injury occurred, and regardless of whether they had SGLI coverage.
How Does A Member Make A Claim For TSGLI?
In order to make a claim for the TSGLI benefit, the member (or someone acting on his or her behalf) should:
- Download the SGLV-8600, Application for TSGLI Benefits . You can also obtain this form from the your service department point of contact or from the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance by toll-free phone at 1-800-419-1473 or by email at osgli.claims@prudential.com.
- Contact your service department point of contact to begin the certification process.
The TSGLI Application has two parts:
- Part A is to be completed by the Servicemember or, if incapacitated, by the member's guardian, or the member's attorney-in-fact.
- Part B is to be completed by the attending medical professional.
Once both parts of the application are completed, the application should be sent to the appropriate branch of service TSGLI office listed on the first page of the application.
Will The Service Member Ever Have To File More Than One Claim?
Yes. There are certain situations when the member will have to file more than one claim.
- For losses such as coma or traumatic brain injury, the TSGLI benefit is payable in $25,000 increments on the 15th, 30th, 60th, and 90th consecutive days of the member's inability to carry out activities of daily living. A separate claim for TSGLI must be filed at each time interval. For example, if a Servicemember suffers a traumatic injury that leaves him in a coma, a claim for TSGLI should be filed after the 15th consecutive day of the member being in a coma for which $25,000 is payable. If the member remains in a coma for 30 days after the traumatic injury, another claim should be submitted and another $25,000 will be paid.
- If a member files a claim for an incurred loss and then subsequently incurs another loss as a result of the same traumatic event, a new claim must be filed for the subsequent loss. For example, if a member files a claim for losing one leg as a result of an explosion and four months later has the other leg amputated as a result of that same explosion, the member must file another claim for the loss of the leg.
May A Service Member Appeal If He or She Applies For A TSGLI Benefit And Is Denied?
Yes, a Servicemember may appeal if denied TSGLI.
- If the Servicemember is appealing a decision based on eligibility criteria such as their loss or the circumstances surrounding the traumatic injury causing the loss, the Servicemember should contact the appropriate service department point of contact.
- If the Servicemember is appealing a decision based on whether they had TSGLI coverage at the time of the traumatic injury, the Servicemember should contact the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance at 1-800-419-1473 to file an appeal.
All appeals must be in writing and must be filed within one year of the date of the denial.
Who Is The Beneficiary Of TSGLI?
The Servicemember is the beneficiary of TSGLI. The member cannot name someone other than himself or herself as the TSGLI beneficiary. If the member is incompetent, the benefit will be paid to his or her guardian or attorney-in-fact.
Is TSGLI Payable If The Service Member Dies As A Result Of The Traumatic Injury?
If the Servicemember dies as a result of the traumatic injury, TSGLI is still payable if the member survived for a period of not less than seven full days from the date of the traumatic event and died before the maximum benefit for which the Servicemember qualifies is paid. (The 7-day period begins on the date and time of the traumatic event, as measured by Zulu [Greenwich Meridian] time and ends 168 full hours later).
Does payment of TSGLI benefits reduce the amount of SGLI payable at the time of the Servicemember's death?
No, payment of TSGLI has no impact on the amount of SGLI payable. For example, if a Servicemember is insured for $400,000 of SGLI coverage and receives a TSGLI payment of $50,000 for a traumatic injury, that member is still insured for the full $400,000 of SGLI coverage, which will be paid upon the Servicemember's death.
Who Will Receive the TSGLI Benefit if the Service Member is Deceased?
If the Servicemember is deceased, the TSGLI payment will be made to the beneficiary or beneficiaries of the member's basic SGLI.
How Is The TSGLI Benefit Paid?
TSGLI payments will be made by one of the following methods:
- Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) - Under this option, the TSGLI payment is electronically credited to the bank account specified by the Servicemember. This option is available to the Servicemember or the member's guardian or power of attorney.
- Lump Sum - Prudential's Alliance Account - An Alliance Account is an interest-bearing draft account established in the member's name with a draft book. The member can write drafts ("checks") for any amount up to the full amount of the proceeds. This gives the member time to make important financial decisions, while their funds are secure and earn continuous interest. There are no monthly service fees or per check charges and additional checks can be ordered at no cost, but fees apply for some special services including returned checks, stop payment orders and copies of statements/checks. Follow this link for answers to frequently asked questions about the Alliance Account.
- Lump Sum - Check - Under this option, the Servicemember's guardian or attorney-in-fact will receive a single check on behalf of the Servicemember for the full TSGLI benefit payable. This option is available only to the Servicemember's guardian or power of attorney.
Is The TSGLI Benefit Taxable?
The IRS has determined that the TSGLI benefit is not taxable.
Does The Member Have To Use The TSGLI Benefit To Assist With Recovery From Their Traumatic Injury?
No. The member may use their TSGLI benefit payment or payments in any manner they choose.
Is Beneficiary Financial Counseling Available To TSGLI Claimants?
Yes. TSGLI benefit recipients may take advantage of the Beneficiary Financial Counseling Services (BFCS) program, which is the same no-cost counseling service to which SGLI or VGLI beneficiaries have access. Follow this link for more information on BFCS.
Changes to the TSGLI Program
I heard that there are changes to the TSGLI program. Is this true?
Effective November 26, 2008, VA has increased the number of traumatic injuries covered under TSGLI as well as liberalizing the criteria of other injuries. Follow this link for a summary of the expanded benefits.
The changes were the result of a "Year-One Review" (YOR) of the program completed by VA. The goal of the YOR was to consider whether the program was meeting its intended purpose, whether new injuries or losses should be added, and if improvements could be made in how the program is administered. Follow this link to view the TSGLI Year-One Review Report which contains the full list of changes to the program, including the new losses.
When did TSGLI begin paying benefits based on the program changes?
The TSGLI Program began paying benefits on the program changes November 26, 2008.
Do the program changes include covering Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder?
No, by law TSGLI does not cover mental or physical illnesses or diseases. This has not changed.
The TSGLI program is modeled after the dismemberment portion of commercial Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D) policies, expanded to take into account the unique circumstances of military service. AD&D policies typically do not cover illnesses, diseases or minor injuries.
Do these new losses have to be incurred in Operations Enduring Freedom or Iraqi Freedom (OEF/OIF)? Are they retroactive to a certain date?
Effective October 1, 2011, Public Law 111-275 removes the OEF/OIF requirement for losses due to injuries incurred during the retroactive period, October 7, 2001 through November 30, 2005. As a result, TSGLI coverage will be provided retroactively for all members who incurred a qualifying loss due to a traumatic injury occurring between October 7, 2001 and November 30, 2005, regardless of where the injury occurred, and regardless of whether the member had SGLI coverage at the time of their injury.
Who will make the decision on my TSGLI claim if I apply based on the program changes?
Your branch of service TSGLI office will determine your eligibility for a TSGLI benefit based on the program changes, just as they currently do under the existing program criteria.
I believe I may be eligible for a TSGLI payment based on the program changes. How do I file a claim? And where can I obtain more information on doing so?
If you file a claim based on the program changes, you should utilize the new TSGLI application where you can document your loss under the program additions and changes. Your branch of service will determine your eligibility based on the program additions and changes. Follow this link to download SGLV-8600, Application for TSGLI Benefits .
I filed a TSGLI claim and was denied. Now that the OEF/OIF requirement is being removed, I believe I may now qualify. Do I have to re-file my claim?
Your branch of service TSGLI office is reviewing all denied claims to determine if any previously denied claimants would now be eligible for a TSGLI benefit based on the OEF/OIF requirement being removed.
However, to be sure that your claim is being reviewed, you should contact your Branch of Service TSGLI office.
If the information that you provided with your original claim documents your eligibility, and you were denied ONLY because your injury was not incurred in OEF or OIF, your branch of service TSGLI office will contact you to ensure they have your current contact information so they can certify payment of your claim.
If the information that you provided with your original claim does not document your eligibility based on the program changes and additions, your branch of service TSGLI office may contact you for additional information to supplement your original claim. You can also call your branch of service TSGLI office to determine what additional information is needed.
In either situation, if your branch of service determines you are eligible for a benefit, they will contact you to confirm your current address and banking information.
I filed a TSGLI claim and was paid $25,000. With the program changes, I believe I may now be entitled to more money? Do I have to re-file my claim?
Your branch of service TSGLI office is reviewing 100 percent of all approved claims where the Servicemember was paid less than the maximum TSGLI benefit of $100,000 to determine if there may now be eligibility for an additional TSGLI benefit based on the program changes and additions.
However, to be sure that your claim is being reviewed, you should contact your Branch of Service TSGLI office.
If the information that you provided with your original claim documents your eligibility for a higher benefit based on the program changes and additions, your branch of service TSGLI office will authorize payment of an additional benefit without the need for you to re-file a claim. If the information that you provided with your original claim does not document your eligibility for a higher benefit based on the program changes and additions, your branch of service TSGLI office will contact you for additional information to supplement your original claim. You can also contact your branch of service TSGLI office to determine what additional information is needed.
In either situation, if your branch of service determines you are eligible for a benefit, they will contact you to confirm your current address and banking information.
Do I still forfeit my Combat Injury Pay if I file a TSGLI claim?
No, the Combat-related Injury Rehabilitation Pay Program (CIP) was terminated on May 15, 2008 and has been replaced by the Pay and Allowances Continuation Program (PAC). Unlike CIP, the PAC program is not linked in any way to the TSGLI Program. The CIP Program payments of $430 per month ended when a Servicemember received a TSGLI payment. The new PAC Program has no such limitation. All of a Servicemember’s incentive pays, bonuses, or similar benefits, and the incidental and expense portion of the temporary duty allowance for members deployed in a combat operation or combat zone may continue or resume for up to one year following initial hospitalization for treatment of a wound, injury, or illness incurred in the line of duty while serving in a combat operation or combat zone, while serving in a hostile fire area, or while exposed to a hostile fire event.
Who should I call with questions on the TSGLI program changes?
You may contact your branch of service TSGLI office.
Where Can I Get More Information?
For more detailed information on the TSGLI benefit, you can refer to title 38, CFR, Part 9.20. You can also contact your service department point of contact or the Office of Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance by phone at 1-800-419-1473 or by email at osgli.claims@prudential.com.