United States Department of Veterans Affairs

Servicemembers' & Veterans' Group Life Insurance

Change in the Law Expands TSGLI Eligibility

How the Change in the Law has Impacted TSGLI Eligibility

Effective October 1, 2011, the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Protection benefit (TSGLI) will be payable for all qualifying injuries incurred during the period October 7, 2001 to November 30, 2005, regardless of the geographic location 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.  

Former Reservists and National Guard members who were injured during the retroactive period and suffered a qualifying loss are eligible for a TSGLI payment.  Even those injured in car accidents or other civilian traumatic events that occurred when the member was not drilling are eligible for a TSGLI payment if they had a qualifying loss resulting from their injuries.

What VA is Doing to Publicize the Change in the Law

VA is working with VA and DoD Public Affairs to publicize this change in the TSGLI law, while the branches of service are identifying any retroactive claims they have denied because the injury was not OEF/OIF and outreaching to those individuals.

Are You Eligible?

 Follow this link to see if you may be eligible for a TSGLI payment.

Note: Although applications are currently being accepted by Branch of Service TSGLI Offices, benefits will not be paid until October 1, 2011, the effective date of the law.