SENATE UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES COLLINS’S BILL TO DOUBLE DEATH GRATUITY FOR KIN OF SERVICE MEMBERS WHO PERISH ON ACTIVE DUTY

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The Senate late Tuesday unanimously approved legislation authored by Senator Susan Collins to double the amount paid by the military to the kin of a service man or woman who is killed on active duty. The legislation, which increases the death gratuity from $6,000 to $12,000, is also retroactive to September 2001 to cover any service member who has perished in Afghanistan, Iraq, or other locations in the war on terror.

"We can never fully repay the debt of our nation to those who have laid down their lives for the cause of freedom. The best we can do is honor their memory, ensure that their sacrifice is not in vain, and help provide for their families," said Senator Susan Collins, a member of the Senate Armed Service Committee.

The death gratuity is commonly provided within 72 hours to the family of the service member who is killed while on active duty. While a small amount, it is intended to assist a grieving family with their immediate financial needs. It is paid in addition to the primary death benefits a service member is due. Those benefits could include the service member's group life insurance, VA dependents indemnity compensation, and the survivors benefits plan compensation. The last time that the death gratuity was raised was in 1991, during the Persian Gulf War. At that time, it was increased from $3,000 to $6,000.

"I have been deeply saddened by the loss of life since the beginning of Iraqi Freedom. Our state experienced the shock of two such losses during the initial days of the war when Captain Jay Aubin and Corporal Brian Kennedy, perished in a helicopter crash. Their families, like many other military families, have suffered a terrible loss. This legislation will alleviate their short term financial concerns as they deal with their loss."