Severely injured servicemembers might not realize they qualify for compensation through the Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (TSGLI) program. Knowledgeable attorneys can help navigate the application process to ensure covered servicemembers receive the benefits they are owed.

How Do I Know I’m Covered Through the Traumatic Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance program?

Any servicemember who is automatically covered under the full-time Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI) program automatically has traumatic injury protection under TSGLI.

How Much Money Could I Qualify to Receive?

The program provides severely injured servicemembers with a payment between $25,000 and $100,000, tax-free.

What If I Was Severely Injured, But Not as a Consequence of Combat Duty?

Servicemembers on active duty are covered regardless of combat involvement.

What If I Was Seriously Injured in 2002?

A soldier seriously injured between Oct. 7, 2001 and Nov. 30, 2005 is covered retroactively under TSGLI, even if the servicemember did not have Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance during that time.

I Thought I Was Only Covered During the Retroactive Period if My Injuries Were Incurred During Operation Enduring or Iraqi Freedom?

That limitation was removed on Oct. 1, 2011 when the Veterans’ Benefits Improvement Act of 2010 was passed.

What Types of Serious Injuries Are Covered?

A detailed list of covered injuries is available at the website of the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Among the different injuries you may be eligible for compensation include:

• Permanent or temporary vision loss that lasted at least 120 days
• Hearing loss
• Loss of speech
• Quadriplegia, paralysis of all four limbs
• Hemiplegia, paralysis of both upper and lower limbs on one side of the body
• Paraplegia, complete paralysis of both lower limbs
• Uniplegia, complete paralysis of one limb
• Severe burns
• Amputations
• Limb salvage in place of amputation
• Facial reconstruction
• Genital injuries
• Traumatic brain injury

What Types of Injuries are NOT Covered by TSGLI?

The following circumstances will not be deemed covered by TSGLI:

• A purposefully self-inflicted wound or the result an attempted self-injury;
• The inclusion of an illegal drug or controlled substance that was taken without the advice of a medical doctor;
• A condition that was the result of a medical or surgical treatment of an illness or disease;
• An injury that occurred while you’re committing or attempting to commit a felony;
• The result of a physical or mental illness or disease (not including an illness or disease caused by a wound infection; a chemical, biological, or radiological weapon; or accidentally ingesting a contaminated substance).

Is This the Same Thing as VA Disability Benefits?

No, VA disability benefits have different requirements. Unlike the continuous monthly payments made under VA disability compensation, the TSGLI is a one-time payment to help you through the short term.

How Do I Know if I am Eligible?

The Veterans Administration spells out the requirements for eligible traumatic injuries.

All of the following must apply to your situation. In addition to being a qualifying servicemember, you must:

• Have a loss listed on the schedule that is a direct result of the traumatic injury,
• Have incurred the injury before midnight on the day you separate from service,
• Be insured under SGLI at the time of the traumatic injury,
• Have suffered a scheduled loss within two years of the traumatic injury, and
• Have survived for at least seven full days from the date of the traumatic injury.

Have I Paid for Such Coverage?

According to the VA, if you have SGLI coverage, your SGLI premium is automatically deducted from your base pay and includes a $1 per month flat-rate premium for TSGLI.

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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