Death of Dependent

Start Here If You Are New to Dependent Death Processing

A dependent (spouse, child, or secondary dependent) has died. You have 10 WORKING DAYS to submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 to S-1 with a certified death certificate. BAH adjusts if no other dependents remain. DEERS removal of the deceased. ID card return required. SGLI beneficiary update required if the deceased was a beneficiary. For SPOUSE death, a Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) is typically NOT assigned (CACOs are for service member death), but unit and chaplain support is available. Survivor benefits and dependency claims may apply for surviving children. TRICARE terminates for the deceased on the date of death. Per MCO 1751.3MCO 1751.3, MCO 1770.1MCO 1770.1, and DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 26.

This page walks you through dependent death from your seat as the Marine. By the end you will know.

• The required documents
• The 10 working day timeline
• BAH adjustment when dependent dies
• DEERS removal and ID card return
• SGLI beneficiary update urgency
• Spouse death specific considerations
• Child death specific considerations
• Secondary dependent death considerations
• Unit and chaplain support
• Survivor benefits coordination

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1751.3MCO 1751.3, MCO 1770.1MCO 1770.1, DoD 7000.14-R Volume 7ADoD 7000.14-R Volume 7A Chapter 26, DoDI 1000.13DoDI 1000.13, and 32 CFR Part 199.

Required Documents

Primary Documents

• NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 (Dependency Application/Record of Emergency Data)
• Certified death certificate with raised seal

Supporting Documents

• Funeral home documentation (sometimes accepted as interim while certified death certificate processes)
• Obituary or memorial service program (not a substitute for death certificate)

The 10 Working Day Timeline

Day zero is the date of death on the death certificate.

Recognizing Real-World Constraints

The Marine Corps recognizes that grief and funeral arrangements are the immediate priority following a death. The 10 working day window starts from the date of death, but commanders and S-1 are flexible on actual submission timing as long as the Marine engages with administration in good faith.

Steps Within 10 Working Days (When Possible)

• Day 1 to 5. Funeral arrangements and emotional support take priority.
• Day 5 to 8. Obtain certified death certificate from funeral home or county vital records.
• Day 8 to 10. S-1 appointment for NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 submission.

Interim Documents

If certified death certificate is delayed (typical 2 to 4 weeks from county vital records), submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with funeral home documentation as interim.

Within 30 Days

• USIP card return for the deceased.
• DEERS removal completed.

Bereavement Leave

Per current Marine Corps policy, Marines may use convalescent leave or be granted permissive TAD by their commanding officer for bereavement and funeral arrangements. See Convalescent Leave and Permissive TAD.

BAH Adjustment When Dependent Dies

Day After Rule

BAH-with-dependents continues through the date of death. Adjustment is effective the day AFTER death.

When Other Dependents Remain

If you have other dependents (other children, secondary dependent), BAH-with-dependents continues based on those remaining dependents. No rate change.

When No Other Dependents

BAH drops to without-dependents rate. Past entitlement is not adjusted retroactively.

Spouse Death With Children

BAH-with-dependents continues based on the children. The Marine becomes a single parent and may need a Family Care Plan. See Family Care Plan (FCP).

DEERS Removal and ID Card Return

Marine Initiates DEERS Removal

Submission of NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with the certified death certificate to S-1 triggers DEERS removal.

USIP Card Return

The deceased's USIP card must be returned to RAPIDS or destroyed per DoDI 1000.13DoDI 1000.13. Options.

• Return in person at any RAPIDS site (often handled at next personal RAPIDS visit).
• Mail to the RAPIDS site.
• Surrender to S-1 for forwarding.
• Destroy with witness if return is impractical (memo for the record).

TRICARE Termination

TRICARE coverage for the deceased terminates on the date of death.

CHCBP Not Applicable

Continued Health Care Benefit Program (CHCBP) is for divorce, not death. No CHCBP for deceased dependents.

SGLI Beneficiary Update Urgency

When Deceased Was Beneficiary

If the deceased dependent was your SGLI beneficiary (often spouse), update immediately. Without update, the deceased's estate would inherit (which then redistributes per will or intestate law).

How to Update

• Marine Online > SGLI section > beneficiary update.
• Or VA Form SGLV 8286 through S-1.

Cascade Update

Update all systems with the deceased as beneficiary or contact.

• TSP beneficiary designation
• Will and estate planning documents
• Emergency contact in MOL
• Bank account beneficiaries
• Insurance policies (private)

Spouse Death Considerations

Survivor Benefits Plan (SBP) Inverse

For an active-duty Marine, spouse death does not trigger SBP. SBP applies to retired pay election. However, future SBP elections at retirement may be affected.

Benefits Continued for Children

Surviving children remain dependent and benefit-eligible. BAH-with-dependents, TRICARE, and DEERS for children continue.

Family Care Plan Trigger

If you become a single parent, a Family Care Plan is required within 60 days. See Family Care Plan (FCP).

Death Gratuity Not Applicable

Death gratuity ($100,000) applies to service member death, not dependent death. No death gratuity for spouse death.

Federal Employee Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)

If the deceased spouse was a federal employee, FEGLI proceeds to the designated beneficiary. The Marine should contact the spouse's federal employer.

Veteran Spouse Considerations

If the deceased spouse was a military veteran, additional VA benefits may apply.

• VA dependency and indemnity compensation (DIC) for the survivor of a veteran whose death was service-connected.
• Burial benefits at VA national cemeteries.
• Coordinate with VA via the National Personnel Records Center.

Child Death Considerations

Emotional Priority

Child death is profoundly difficult. Unit, chaplain, and Family Readiness support take priority over administration.

Administrative Steps

When ready, submit NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with certified death certificate. S-1 supports flexible timing.

Other Children Continue

If other children remain dependents, BAH-with-dependents continues. DEERS removal applies only to the deceased child.

TRICARE and DEERS

TRICARE terminates for deceased child on date of death. DEERS enrollment removed.

Counseling Support

Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS) Counseling and Behavioral Health, chaplain corps, and Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS) provide grief support.

Secondary Dependent Death Considerations

Documentation

Same NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 process with certified death certificate.

BAH Implications

If the secondary dependent (parent, parent-in-law, etc.) was contributing to your BAH-with-dependents recognition (rare for active-duty Marines), BAH may adjust. For most active-duty Marines, BAH is based on spouse and children primarily, so secondary dependent death does not change BAH.

Estate Coordination

For deceased parents or parents-in-law, you may have estate executor responsibilities. Coordinate with Legal Services and civilian probate court.

Unit and Chaplain Support

Unit Notification

Notify your immediate supervisor and command immediately upon dependent death. Unit support enables.

• Bereavement leave or convalescent leave
• Permissive TAD for funeral travel
• Family Readiness Officer engagement
• Emergency situation accommodations

Chaplain Corps

Chaplains provide pastoral care, counseling, and ceremonial support. Chaplains are confidential.

Marine Corps Community Services (MCCS)

MCCS Counseling and Behavioral Health provides professional counseling for grief and bereavement.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

TAPS is a private organization providing peer support for military families experiencing loss.

Survivor Benefits Coordination

CACO Generally Not Assigned for Dependent Death

Per MCO 1770.1MCO 1770.1, Casualty Assistance Calls Officers (CACOs) are typically assigned for SERVICE MEMBER deaths. For dependent deaths, the CACO program does not formally engage, but unit Family Readiness Officer and S-1 provide equivalent support.

Survivor Benefits Possible

• DIC if deceased was a veteran with service-connected death
• VA burial benefits if deceased was a veteran
• Social Security survivor benefits for surviving children
• State-specific survivor benefits

Forms and Coordination

• VA Form 21-534EZ (Application for DIC, Death Pension, and Accrued Benefits)
• SSA Form SSA-4 (Application for Child's Insurance Benefits)
• Coordination with Legal Services for estate matters

Common Errors

Late Submission Creating BAH Overpayment

If NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 is submitted significantly late, BAH overpayment may be assessed. Engage S-1 in good faith and document grief circumstances.

SGLI Not Updated

If deceased was SGLI beneficiary and Marine dies without updating, proceeds go to deceased's estate. Update immediately.

Failure to Return ID Card

USIP card must be returned or destroyed. Failure can be misuse of a federal ID card.

Forgetting to Update Other Beneficiaries

TSP, will, bank accounts, and emergency contacts should also be updated.

Failure to Coordinate Veterans Benefits

If deceased was a veteran, surviving family may qualify for DIC, burial benefits, and other VA benefits. Coordinate with VA early.

Cross References

• For BAH framework, see BAH (Housing Allowance)
• For overall life events framework, see Life Events Overview and Authorities
• For DEERS and ID card mechanics, see DEERS Enrollment and ID Cards
• For Family Care Plan if you become single parent, see Family Care Plan (FCP)
• For SGLI specifics, see SGLI and VGLI
• For convalescent leave for bereavement, see Convalescent Leave
• For permissive TAD for funeral, see Permissive TAD

Quick Reference

• Submission. NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with certified death certificate within 10 working days.
• BAH. Day after death rule.
• ID card. Return to RAPIDS or destroy with witness.
• SGLI. Update beneficiary same day if deceased was beneficiary.
• Bereavement. Convalescent leave or permissive TAD via command.
• Survivor benefits. DIC, VA burial benefits, Social Security via VA coordination.
• Primary contact. S-1, with Family Readiness Officer and chaplain support.

Records To Keep

• Certified death certificate (original plus extra certified copies)
• Signed NAVMC 10922NAVMC 10922 with S-1 endorsement
• DEERS removal confirmation
• USIP card return receipt or destruction memo
• SGLI beneficiary update confirmation
• VA benefits application copies
• Will and estate documents
• LES showing BAH change

If you have a question about dependent death documentation, S-1 is your first stop. For grief and bereavement support, chaplain corps and MCCS Counseling and Behavioral Health are confidential resources. For survivor benefits, coordinate with Legal Services and the VA.