Casualty Assistance
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Casualty Assistance Representative
Jacqueline "Jackie" Ford
Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR)
General Resources
A helpful guide to organizing legal, financial, and personal documents to ensure your affairs are in order before or after a loved one’s passing.
The official source for military retired pay, SBP, annuities, and survivor-related financial matters such as death reporting and Retiree Account Statements (RAS).
➡️ https://www.dfas.mil/RetiredMilitary/
Provides a wide range of survivor benefits including Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), burial benefits, life insurance, and bereavement counseling.
➡️ https://www.va.gov/family-member-benefits/
Eligible family members may request a U.S. flag to honor a deceased veteran’s military service during burial ceremonies.
➡️ https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/memorial-items/burial-flags/
Access a deceased veteran’s service records, DD-214, or medical documents for claims, honors, or personal history through the National Archives.
➡️ https://www.archives.gov/veterans
🕯️ Grief Support Resources for Military Families
💙 Military & Veteran-Focused Grief Support
The leading national nonprofit providing 24/7 grief support and resources to all who are grieving the death of a military loved one—regardless of relationship or circumstance of death.
- Survivor seminars, peer mentoring, youth programs, and retreats
- 24/7 National Helpline: 1-800-959-TAPS (8277)
Provides long-term grief support, remembrance events, and resource navigation for surviving Navy family members.
Offers financial counseling, support groups, and long-term case management for survivors of Army personnel.
➡️https://www.armymwr.com/programs-and-services/personal-assistance/survivor-outreach
Air Force program that offers non-clinical support, engagement events, and connection to survivor resources for next-of-kin.
➡️https://www.afpc.af.mil/Airman-and-Family/Survivor-Assistance/Air-Force-Families-Forever/
🧒 Support for Grieving Children & Teens
Interactive, age-appropriate videos and activities to help young children understand and cope with the loss of a loved one.
A gentle, age-appropriate video from Sesame Street that helps young children understand and talk about the emotions that come with the loss of a loved one.
A resource offering supportive language and coping strategies to help caregivers guide young children through grief following a loved one’s suicide.
Provides college scholarships and educational counseling to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty.
National center for grieving children and families offering resources, podcasts, toolkits, and in-person/virtual programs.
🧘 General Bereavement & Mental Health Support
Free, confidential grief and loss consultations, 24/7 support, and referrals.
Call: 1-800-342-9647
➡️ https://www.militaryonesource.mil/confidential-help/specialty-consultations/grief-and-loss/
Offers a grief and loss section with information, stories, and connection to survivor communities.
Provides free mental health support—including grief counseling—for military families and veterans.
Grief counseling through the VA’s Readjustment Counseling Services and Vet Centers.
➡️ https://www.va.gov/health-care/get-help-bereavement-counseling/
Tips and self-care tools for adults coping with grief, emphasizing that caring for oneself is an important part of healing while supporting others.
➡️ https://sesamestreetincommunities.org/activities/taking-care-of-ourselves-while-grieving/
A practical and compassionate guide from TAPS for navigating the early days of grief after the death of a military loved one, available in both English and Spanish.
➡️ English PDF | Spanish PDF
A list of local grief support organizations, mental health services, support groups, and counseling options available to families in the Charleston and Lowcountry area.
➡️ https://jbcmfr.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/LowcountryGriefResources.pdf_safe.pdf
Program Overview
Air Force Casualty Assistance Representatives (CARs) play a crucial role in providing comprehensive, compassionate support to military families during times of loss. From prompt casualty reporting and dignified notifications to follow-on care and benefit coordination, CARs are committed to assisting next-of-kin through each step of the process.
CARs serve as key liaisons to critical resources, including the Record of Emergency Data (RED)—a document vital for ensuring up-to-date emergency contact information and beneficiary designations. They also help families navigate essential insurance benefits such as Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Family Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (FSGLI), and Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI), offering financial relief and peace of mind during times of great uncertainty.
One significant benefit managed by CARs is the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP). This program ensures eligible survivors continue to receive a portion of the service member’s retired pay as a monthly annuity. For those on active duty, SBP coverage is automatic and provided at no cost. Upon retirement, however, members must elect to continue coverage to maintain this financial safeguard for their loved ones. SBP counselors provide personalized guidance to help members make informed decisions about post-retirement coverage and long-term family planning.
CARs also extend support to military retirees and surviving family members by assisting with the Retiree Account Statement (RAS) and coordinating critical notifications to Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). These services ensure proper benefit delivery and help families manage administrative transitions with clarity and care.
Note for Navy Families: While this program overview reflects the Air Force Casualty Assistance process, Navy commands have embedded Casualty Assistance Officers (CAOs) within their units. These officers serve as the primary point of contact for Navy service members and families, offering tailored casualty and benefits assistance aligned with Navy-specific protocols. Navy families are encouraged to connect directly with their unit’s CAO for support.
This unified approach—tailored by service branch—reinforces the Department of Defense’s steadfast commitment to honoring our service members and supporting their families through every stage of life, loss, and legacy.
🕊️ General Casualty Assistance
Overview of AFPC’s casualty assistance mission, benefits, and contacts.
Breakdown of services, processes, and family support following a casualty.
https://www.myairforcebenefits.us.af.mil/Benefit-Library/Federal-Benefits/Casualty-Assistance
Comprehensive guide for all branches; excellent resource for families.
https://prhome.defense.gov/Portals/52/Documents/PR%20Docs/Casualty_Assistance_Handbook.pdf
📄 Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)
Official source for SBP rules, coverage details, premiums, and annuity processing.
Simplified explanation tailored for Air Force families, including FAQs.
Used at retirement to designate SBP beneficiaries and options.
https://www.esd.whs.mil/Portals/54/Documents/DD/forms/dd/dd2656.pdf
🛡️ Life Insurance (SGLI, FSGLI, TSGLI)
Covers SGLI, FSGLI, TSGLI, and VGLI with claim instructions.
Direct links to policy information and claims procedures.
📋 Retiree Support (DFAS, VA, RAS)
Includes SBP, Retiree Account Statement (RAS), pay changes, and death reporting.
Outlines Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC), burial allowances, and other survivor benefits.
Essential for retiree death reporting and SBP coordination.
⚓ Navy-Specific Casualty Assistance
Navy CAOs and survivor support processes.
Provides grief resources, events, and connection for surviving families.
(PDF) Directory of Navy Casualty Assistance Offices by region for direct survivor support and benefit processing.
Provides dignified military funeral honors to eligible Navy veterans and retirees. Request procedures, eligibility, and point of contact details provided.
https://www.mynavyhr.navy.mil/Support-Services/Casualty/Funeral-Honors/
Offers the option for active duty members, retirees, and honorably discharged veterans to be buried at sea. Includes instructions for submitting requests and required documentation.
843-963-8883
The utilization of non-government websites within our website does not imply nor intend any federal endorsement.