If you are covered under a Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program and have suffered a traumatic injury, you may be able to make a TSGLI claim.

What is a TSGLI Claim?

Eligible service members in the United States are automatically insured under an SGLI program, which in turn automatically provides traumatic injury coverage under Traumatic Injury Protection (TSGLI). Filing a TSGLI claim can help cover traumatic injuries, even if those injuries did not occur on duty. Injuries incurred by a traumatic event are covered by TSGLI, which helps with the long treatment and recovery periods that these kinds of injuries generally entail.

How are TSGLI Claims Paid?

TSGLI payments are made in lump sums attributed to specific injuries, and are tax-free. The lowest TSGLI payment a person could receive for an injury is $25,000, while the maximum is $100,000. These payment amounts are contingent on the specific injury suffered.

Who can File a TSGLI Claim?

It is important to understand who exactly is eligible for TSGLI coverage.

Anyone who is insured under SGLI coverage is also insured under TSGLI coverage. SGLI (and TSGLI) coverage is automatically given to the following:

• Active duty members of the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard
• Reservists
• National Guard members
• Funeral honors duty
• One-day muster duty

Service members who believe they have suffered an injury eligible for a TSGLI claim should check that the following factors apply to them:

• First, that they are covered under SGLI—in any amount
• That they have suffered a traumatic injury (on or off the job) that leads to a qualifying loss
• That they have suffered the loss within 730 days (that is, within 2 years) from the date the traumatic event occurred
• That they have survived seven days from a traumatic event.

The VA’s website offers a list of potential TSGLI claims and the payment amounts that an eligible service member could expect to receive. For instance, the loss of sight in a single eye amounts to a $50,000 TSGLI payment, amputation of a big toe is $25,000, and paraplegia is $100,000. A more expansive list can be found on the VA’s TSGLI Schedule of Losses.

What Conditions are NOT Covered by TSGLI?

Certain conditions cannot be covered by the TSGLI, including the following:

• those caused by a mental disorder or a mental or physical illness
• those caused by a routine medical or surgical treatment
• those sustained while committing a felony (or attempting to commit one)
• those that were self-inflicted
• those sustained while attempting suicide
• those sustained with the use of an illegal substance

Can TSGLI Be Applied Retroactively?

If you were injured between Oct. 7, 2001, and Nov. 30, 2005, and otherwise meet the TSGLI requirements, you may be able to receive retroactive TSGLI for these injuries.

Can I File a TSGLI Claim?

If you are a service member who has been injured because of a traumatic event, regardless of whether or not you were on duty, you may be able to file a TSGLI claim and receive compensation. Consulting an experienced attorney can help you determine if you are eligible to make a claim, navigate the complexities of the claims process, and maximize your potential payout.

Get Help Filing Your TSGLI Claim

If you’re a servicemember who was injured while on active duty, in the National Guard or on reserve, you may qualify for benefits through the Traumatic Protection Program through the Servicemembers Group Life Insurance.

Fill out the form on this page for more information. 

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