Additional Resources for Gold Star Families

A Survivor's Guide to Benefits: Taking Care of Our Families - This downloadable guide is intended to inform you about survivor benefits that you may be eligible to receive

Navy Gold Star Program

http://www.navygoldstar.com/

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)

http://www.taps.org/survivors/survivor.aspx?id=6762&c=6757

TriCare Provisional Benefits for Survivors and Dependents

http://www.tricare.mil/survivors/

TRICARE transitional survivor and survivor benefits for Active Duty family members.

Understanding Survivor Benefits

www.military.com/benefits/survivor-benefits

Dealing with the death of a family member in the military is never easy, but surviving family members are entitled to certain benefits that can help ease financial difficulties. Looking into these benefits at the time a loved one dies can be difficult emotionally, but you should go through this process as soon as possible, otherwise you risk facing unexpected circumstances that may prevent you from receiving your benefits....The resources and information in this section will assist you in dealing with the death of servicemember.

Citizenship

Family Based Survivor Benefits (for relatives)

https://www.uscis.gov/military/family-based-survivor-benefits

Immediate relatives of U.S. armed forces members who die as a result of combat while in an active duty status may be eligible for certain “survivor” immigration benefits, including citizenship.

Magazine

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors)

http://www.taps.org/magazine/content.aspx

TAPS Magazine is dedicated to the brave men and women who died while serving in the Armed Forces, and to their survivors. The magazine is written by surviving family members, friends, and care-giving professionals for those who are grieving the loss of their loved ones. We hope you will find comfort, support, information, inspiration, and a sense of connection within its pages as you continue your grief journey.

TAPS Magazine is published quarterly and sent free of charge to survivors, their friends and family, service members, and professionals who work with U.S. military survivors.

Other

History Flight

https://historyflight.com/

History Flight is a privately operated, nonprofit organization dedicated to researching, recovering and repatriating America’s service members back to United States of America. These individuals have been listed as Missing in Action (MIA) or deemed non-recoverable during the past American conflicts of WWII, Korean War, Cold War, and Vietnam War. There are currently over 81,900 missing American service members around the world. Recovery operations of this magnitude are only successful through the contributions of dedicated organizations and individuals doing their part to ensure that the heroes of our past conflicts; whom have given the last full measure in order to secure the freedoms and liberties we enjoy today, are not forgotten.

Since 2003, History Flight missions have recovered the remains of over 130 missing service members, in both the European and Pacific theaters of war, and helped return them to their families. Our organization is also responsible for the recovery of an additional 250 sets of remains; turned over to the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) that are currently in the process of identification.

Resources

Gold Star Family Resources

https://www.goldstarfamilyresources.com/

Centralized resources for Gold Star Families that provides guidance, checklists, and blog posts written from my own experience and perspective.

Military One Source

www.militaryonesource.mil

This free 24-hour service, provided by the Department of Defense, is available to all active duty, Guard, and Reserve members and their families. Consultants provide information and make referrals on a wide range of issues. You can reach the program by telephone at 1-800-342-9647 or through their website.

Survivor Outreach Services

https://dcsg9.army.mil/safr/sos/sos-find.html

The Army has a network of SOS Coordinators at locations across the United States.

TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) Survival Care Package

www.taps.org

https://www.uso.org/programs/support-for-families-of-the-fallen

The story of TAPS and the services we are proud to provide are outlined in our Survivor Care Packages. This is a vital tool, not only to each survivor, but to caregivers and family support on the front lines providing face to face, personal assistance. These packages are provided at no cost and outline important information for calling upon all of the resources provided by TAPS.