Survivor Benefits and Long Term Assistance Program (LTAP)

Start Here If You Are New to LTAP

LONG TERM ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (LTAP) is the PERMANENT resource at HQMC for the next of kin of fallen Marines. LTAP provides sustained, quality assistance from the Marine Corps long after the immediate post-death period. LTAP CONNECTS families to benevolent and philanthropic organizations including grief and bereavement experts and educational counseling. LTAP provides INDEFINITE assistance to all next of kin of deceased Marines. LTAP delivers a COMPREHENSIVE PRINTOUT of benefits and entitlements from MAGELLAN FEDERAL to assist in informed financial decisions. LTAP assists next of kin in obtaining access to investigative reports. LTAP is part of the DOVER PORT MORTUARY MASS CASUALTY response team that deploys to Dover Port Mortuary to assist CACOs and surviving family members. GOLD STAR AND SURVIVING FAMILY MEMBER REPRESENTATIVES address concerns regarding casualty assistance or benefit receipt for spouses and dependents. 866-210-3421 EXT 2 or LTAP@usmc.mil. Per MCO 1770.1MCO 1770.1.

This page walks you through LTAP, survivor benefits, and Gold Star representation from your seat as a family member, leader, or admin. By the end you will know.

• What LTAP is and how it differs from CACO
• The Magellan Federal benefits printout
• Investigation report access support
• Dover Port Mortuary Mass Casualty response role
• Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Representatives
• Major survivor benefits (Death Gratuity, SGLI, DIC, SBP, etc.)
• Benevolent and philanthropic organizations
• Educational and counseling resources
• How to reach LTAP

Every fact on this page comes from MCO 1770.1MCO 1770.1, MCO 3040.4MCO 3040.4, DoDI 1300.18DoDI 1300.18, 10 USC 144710 USC 1447-1455, 38 USC 131038 USC 1310-1322, and HQMC Marine and Family Programs Branch published guidance.

What LTAP Is

LTAP is the Marine Corps' commitment to families of fallen Marines that the relationship does NOT end when the immediate post-death period concludes.

LTAP Versus CACO

• CACO is the immediate post-death point of contact. CACO duties extend weeks to months.
• LTAP picks up where CACO leaves off. LTAP is INDEFINITE.

What LTAP Provides

• Indefinite ongoing assistance to next of kin.
• Magellan Federal benefits printout.
• Connection to benevolent and philanthropic organizations.
• Grief and bereavement counseling resources.
• Educational counseling resources.
• Investigation report access support.
• Dover Port Mortuary response coordination.
• Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Representative services.

Who LTAP Serves

ALL next of kin of deceased Marines. This includes.

• Spouses
• Children
• Parents
• Other designated next of kin
• Survivors of any era and circumstance

LTAP does not have a sunset on family eligibility.

The Magellan Federal Benefits Printout

LTAP delivers a comprehensive printout of benefits and entitlements from Magellan Federal to assist families in making informed decisions regarding finances.

What The Printout Covers

• Death Gratuity ($100,000) eligibility and status.
• SGLI claim status and proceeds.
• DIC eligibility and amounts.
• SBP coverage if applicable.
• VA burial benefits.
• Social Security survivor benefits.
• State-level benefits (vary by state of residence).
• Other federal benefits.

Why The Printout Matters

• Survivors face complex financial decisions during grief.
• Benefits come from multiple sources (DoD, VA, SSA, state, private).
• The printout consolidates information in one place.
• Reduces risk of missing entitled benefits.

How To Get The Printout

• Through LTAP at 866-210-3421 ext 2 or LTAP@usmc.mil.
• Available initially upon notification and updated as needed.

Investigation Report Access Support

LTAP assists next of kin in obtaining access to investigative reports.

Why Family Needs Reports

• Understanding the cause and circumstances of the Marine's death.
• Closure and grief processing.
• Verifying details for personal records.
• Pursuing further inquiries if family has concerns.

How LTAP Helps

• Coordinates with Investigation Tracking section.
• Provides redacted reports as available.
• Explains redactions and access limitations.
• Routes specific questions to investigators.

Coordination With CACO

• During active CACO period, CACO is primary point of contact for investigation information.
• After CACO closes case, LTAP becomes primary point.

Dover Port Mortuary Mass Casualty Response

LTAP is part of the Dover Port Mortuary Mass Casualty response team.

What Dover Port Mortuary Is

The Air Force Mortuary Affairs Operations facility at Dover Air Force Base, Delaware, processes the remains of all U.S. military service members who die overseas in operational deaths.

Dignified Transfer

Family members may attend the Dignified Transfer at Dover when remains return to the United States.

LTAP Role at Dover

• Deploys to Dover as part of the Mass Casualty response team.
• Provides assistance to CACOs and surviving family members arriving for Dignified Transfer.
• Coordinates logistics and family support.
• Bridges the period between Dover transfer and home-area arrangements.

Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Representatives

Gold Star and Surviving Family Member Representatives address any issues or concerns of spouses and dependents regarding casualty assistance or receipt of benefits.

What "Gold Star" Means

The Gold Star tradition dates to World War I. Families of service members killed in service display a gold star to honor their loved one. Gold Star status is recognized by the Marine Corps and federal benefits programs.

Gold Star Representative Role

• Advocate for survivors with the Marine Corps.
• Address concerns about casualty assistance quality.
• Address concerns about benefit receipt.
• Connect survivors with resources.
• Represent survivor interests in policy discussions.

When To Contact A Representative

• If you are a survivor and not satisfied with casualty assistance provided.
• If you have benefits concerns that have not been resolved through other channels.
• If you need an advocate within the Marine Corps system.

Contact

• 866-210-3421 ext 2.
• Available regardless of how or where the Marine died.

Major Survivor Benefits

LTAP coordinates and supports access to several major survivor benefits.

Death Gratuity

• $100,000 lump sum, tax-free.
• Paid by DoD per 10 USC 147510 USC 1475-1480.
• Designated beneficiary or, if not designated, statutory order.
• CACO processes initial application.

Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI)

• Up to $500,000 in coverage.
• Paid to designated beneficiary.
• VA processes claim.
• See SGLI and VGLI for details.

Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)

• Monthly tax-free payment to surviving spouse and dependent children.
• Per 38 USC 131038 USC 1310-1322.
• VA administers.
• Available for service-connected death.
• Continues for life of surviving spouse (subject to remarriage rules).

Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP)

• Annuity from retired pay election.
• Active duty death may convert to SBP-equivalent annuity for survivors.
• Per 10 USC 144710 USC 1447-1455.
• See SBP coverage in retirement leaves.

VA Burial Benefits

• Burial in VA national cemetery.
• Headstone or marker.
• Burial flag.
• Presidential memorial certificate.

Social Security Survivor Benefits

• For surviving spouses and dependent children.
• Per Social Security Administration rules.
• Application via SSA.

Specific State Benefits

Many states provide additional benefits for Gold Star families. Vary widely. LTAP can assist with state-level resources.

Benevolent and Philanthropic Organizations

LTAP connects families to benevolent and philanthropic organizations.

Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS)

Private nonprofit providing peer-based emotional support to military families experiencing loss. Major resource.

Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation

Provides educational scholarships to children of fallen Marines.

Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society

Emergency financial assistance and ongoing support.

Other Organizations

Many other private organizations support military families. LTAP maintains current connections.

Educational and Counseling Resources

Grief and Bereavement Experts

• TAPS provides peer-based grief support.
• Military OneSource provides counseling referrals.
• VA Vet Centers provide bereavement counseling.
• Private grief counselors.

Educational Counseling

• For surviving children pursuing education.
• For surviving spouses pursuing career changes.
• DEA (Survivors' and Dependents' Educational Assistance) per 38 USC.
• Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation.

Mental Health Support

• Survivors may experience grief, depression, anxiety, PTSD.
• Resources available through TRICARE (for eligible survivors).
• Military OneSource.
• Private mental health providers.

How To Reach LTAP

Phone

• 866-210-3421 ext 2.
• HQMC central LTAP office.

Email

• LTAP@usmc.mil.

What To Expect

• Acknowledgment of contact within reasonable time.
• Connection with assigned LTAP advocate.
• Substantive support and follow-through.

Hours

• Standard business hours typically.
• For urgent matters, the 24/7 Casualty hotline at 800-847-1597 routes appropriately.

Coordination with Other MF Programs

CREDO

For surviving family members and unit personnel processing trauma. CREDO offers retreats and resilience programs.

Behavioral Health

Installation behavioral health for ongoing mental health support.

Personal Financial Management Program (PFMP)

For financial decisions following death gratuity, SGLI, and survivor benefits. Installation PFMP financial counselor.

Family Readiness Services (UPFRP)

For ongoing family integration with the Marine Corps community.

Common Failure Points

Family Loses Touch After CACO

If LTAP handoff is not made cleanly, family may feel abandoned post-CACO.

Mitigation. CACO conducts warm handoff to LTAP before closing case. Family receives LTAP contact directly.

Benefits Missed

Surviving family may not realize a benefit they qualify for.

Mitigation. Magellan Federal benefits printout via LTAP captures the comprehensive list. Family reviews periodically.

Investigation Frustration

Long investigation timelines can frustrate families.

Mitigation. LTAP maintains advocacy posture and pushes for updates from Investigation Tracking.

State-Level Benefits Underused

Marines often die in states different from their state of legal residence. Benefits in legal residence state may be missed.

Mitigation. LTAP and state-level Gold Star organizations connect families to applicable resources.

Cross References

• For immediate post-death CACO support, see Casualty Assistance Program (CAP and CACO)
• For investigation tracking, see Casualty Investigation Tracking
• For funeral honors and repatriation, see Military Funeral Honors and Repatriation
• For MF Branch overview, see Marine and Family Programs Overview and Authorities
• For SGLI specifics, see SGLI and VGLI
• For Death Gratuity and pay-side survivor benefits, see Death Payments (when published)
• For SBP at retirement, see SBP coverage in Separations and Retirement parent group

Quick Reference

• Authority. MCO 1770.1MCO 1770.1.
• Phone. 866-210-3421 ext 2.
• Email. LTAP@usmc.mil.
• Magellan Federal printout. Via LTAP.
• Gold Star Representative. Same number.
• Eligibility. All next of kin of deceased Marines, indefinitely.

Records To Keep (For Family Members)

• LTAP advocate contact (name, phone, email)
• Magellan Federal benefits printout
• Death Gratuity, SGLI, DIC, SBP claim confirmations
• VA burial benefits documentation
• TAPS and other private organization connections
• Investigation report receipts

If you have a question about LTAP, survivor benefits, or Gold Star representation, contact LTAP at 866-210-3421 ext 2 or LTAP@usmc.mil. For immediate casualty matters, the 24/7 hotline is 800-847-1597.