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Death-In-Service Of Civilian Employee
Summary of Benefits
Benefits that may be available to eligible survivors of Federal civilian employees who die while employed include the following: A survivor annuity from the retirement system if certain eligibility requirements are met by the deceased employee and the surviving family members. Life insurance proceeds if the deceased employee is enrolled in the Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) program. Continuation of health insurance coverage if the deceased employee is enrolled in the Federal Employees Health Benefits (FEHB) program with self-and-family coverage and a survivor annuity is payable. (Exception: When the deceased employee is covered by the Federal Employees' Retirement System (FERS) and the spouse is eligible for the basic employee death benefit but not eligible for a survivor annuity because the employee had less than 10 years of service, the spouse may continue health insurance coverage.) Continuation of coverage or the opportunity to enroll in dental and vision insurance in the Federal Employees Dental and Vision Insurance Program (FEDVIP). Payout of the deceased employee's Thrift Savings Plan account, if participating. A lump sum payment for unpaid compensation (unpaid hours worked and unused hours of annual leave accrued as of the date of death). Workers' compensation benefits from the Office of Workers' Compensation Programs (OWCP) if employee's death is job-related. If the employee's death results from a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty, a death gratuity of up to $10,000 may be paid (minus burial and administrative payments made by OWCP). Death, disability, and educational benefits may be payable when a public safety officer's death or total and permanent disability results from injuries sustained in the line of duty. A public safety officer is a person serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or member of a public rescue squad or ambulance crew. An intelligence duties death gratuity if employee is assigned to intelligence duties and death occurs outside the United States as a result of hostile activities. Death benefits equal to one year's salary if employee's death occurs in Pakistan, Iraq, or Afghanistan. A death gratuity of up to $100,000 and monetary relief under the Homeowners Assistance Program if employee dies of injuries incurred while in service with an Armed Force in a contingency operation. Certain income tax breaks and reimbursement for certain expenses if employee's death occurs as a result of wounds or injury incurred in a terrorist or military action. Additional information on the above and other benefits is available in our brochure, Benefits and Entitlements in the Event of Injury or Death.
Reporting the Death of a Federal Employee
You should make sure your spouse, other appropriate family member, or friend has the name and telephone number of your immediate supervisor. If you die while away from work, your spouse or other family member should contact your supervisor as quickly as possible, providing the date of death, if known. Your supervisor will then notify your local Civilian Personnel Section. Providing counseling and assistance to surviving family members is given highest priority. However, whether the survivors are assisted by a representative of your local Civilian Personnel Section or the Benefits and Entitlements Service Team (BEST) depends on whether you (the employee) receive Full or Limited benefits services from BEST. Full service employees: Your local Civilian Personnel Section will immediately notify BEST (1-800-525-0102) of the death. BEST will contact your survivors (within one to two days) and provide counseling on the benefits he/she/they may be entitled to, the forms for making application, and assistance with completing the forms. Limited service employees: Your local Civilian Personnel Section will assist the survivors.
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