Durbin, Dewine Seek Benefits for Survivors of Service Members Killed in the Line of Duty

DURBIN, DEWINE SEEK BENEFITS FOR SURVIVORS OF SERVICE MEMBERS KILLED IN THE LINE OF DUTY

Monday, January 24, 2005

[WASHINGTON, DC] -- U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Mike DeWine (R-OH) today introduced a bipartisan military benefits package that would help ensure that the needs of families of fallen service members are addressed.

Under the DeWine-Durbin plan, the surviving children and spouses of service members who are killed on active duty would receive an increased monthly payment, the families increased benefits and would be eligible for expanded education benefits health care coverage.

"Our nation should stand with family members who have suffered the ultimate loss - the life of a loved one," Durbin said. They should not bear the added burden of financial uncertainty after a soldier's death. Nor should the amount of survivors' benefits be based on whether a soldier was killed in combat or training for combat. The loss to the family is exactly the same, and this legislation would ensure that the families in both circumstances are treated the same."

"We owe the families of those who have lost loved ones in active duty our gratitude and support," said Senator DeWine. "As a nation, we should show our commitment to caring for the loved ones of the service members who paid the ultimate sacrifice. Caring for the families who have lost so much is one of the costs of going to war."

More than 50 percent of America's men and women in uniform are married and about 50 percent of those families also have dependent children. Retroactive to October 2001, the DeWine-Durbin bill would cover the family members of service members killed while on active duty. The package would amend four benefit programs to improve the overall quality of life for survivors and dependent children: ? Increase the one-time, tax-free death gratuity to $100,000 and create a death gratuity for each child under the age of 18 in the amount of $25,000 that would be collected when the dependent child reaches the age of 21. The current death gratuity for spouses is $12,000 and no benefit exists for dependent children.

? Extend the military health insurance, TRICARE Prime, to every dependent child of a service member killed on active duty until the dependents reach the age of 21, or until 23 if the dependent is enrolled in school. The current system only allows dependent children to remain in the military health care system for three years after the death of the service member. After that time, the child is eligible to maintain the health coverage at the cost charged to retired military members.

? Increase the dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for a spouse to $1500 per month and to $750 for each child per month. Current benefits are $993 for the spouse and $247 for each child, plus for the first two years, the benefit provides an additional $250 per month for a spouse with dependent children.

? Increase the benefits available from the Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance Program. The DeWine-Durbin bill would eliminate the current 45-month cap on benefits payments and establish an $80,000 lump sum that can be used for any educational expenses, including tuition, fees, room, board and books. The current benefit is limited to 45 months with a monthly cap of $803 for tuition and fees.

The bipartisan bill is co-sponsored by Senators Chuck Hagel (R-NE), George Allen (R-VA), Norm Coleman (R-MN), Tim Johnson (D-SD), Barack Obama (D-IL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT).

http://durbin.senate.gov/releases.cfm