RE: DIC/SBP Offset
http://www.military.com/opinion/0,15202,175244,00.html

9/24/2008
As we know SBP is a contract between our Government (Defense Department) and a veteran making a commitment to provide secured income for his/her survivor(s) after the veteran's death.

When a veteran's life is taken as a result of military service defending his/her country, it usually shortens the lifespan of such a person not to mention the agony and suffering that the veteran and the family endures.

My husband of almost 56 years, made SBP payments for 33 (thirty-three years) to have peace of mind for my financial support. I became eligible for DIC due to his disabilities sustained during his 27 years of military service defending our country.

The SBP offset from DIC is very unjustified. I lost a lot of sleep over it. Especially, when I was notified by the Department of Defense that they had learned of my eligibilty of DIC, therefore, an offset was effective and at that particular month which happened to be a December the total amount deposited into my bank account was $248.90. The VA and Defense Department Finance Office didn't seem to synchronize their handling in this matter, since no payment had been received by me from the VA at that time.

That December will never be forgotten. A veteran pays into a system/commitment for 33 years for financial security for his survivor(s)and a check of $248.90 arrives for that month to celebrate Christmas was an insult beyond anything I had expected. That hit home and I questioned the compassion and loyalty of our Government to its veterans and their families. They didn't care enough to make sure one was financially sound to put food on the table, pay the rent etc. All dignity was stripped at that time, thanks to their inconsideration. I would think that this was not an isolated case.

I wrote a letter to the Defense Departments' Finance Office who ignored it with no reply.

Yes, I received a lump sum taxable payment without a consent on my part. And 33 years of payments into SBP did not earn any interest.

I would be happy to reimburse the Government that lump sum minus the taxes I had to pay to see justice served to the eligible SBP annuitants by eliminating the DIC offset.

Since my husband's death, the little annual increases have not been keeping up with the cost of living. In fact one Government Agency takes away what the other gives. Medicare has taken most of any "raises" one received.

I would think that our Government would honor the commitment for an annuity for survivors of veterans. These veterans stood by their commitment with their monthly payments. They paid with their lives for serving their country and this country should not hesitate to compensate their families who suffered through this tremendous loss of life by withholding an obligation of our Government which was paid for by the deceased veteran.

U. E., Louisville, KY

I am also a Widow of a U.S.Navy man. He was in for just 5 years but died while in service he relisted for four more years. I have not recived anything about the SBP. Insurance payments. I have written two letters and stil have not hurd a word from anyone . How do we get through to this people . It seems to me they really do not care about thoes of us who have been left behind. I also should have been on TRI-Care instead of the Champ VA. insurance this has not been resloved as yet.

Katherinei the TriCare is for those retired from the military or naval service, or surviving spouses, and/or children of retirees. The retiree would have paid into SBP.
CHAMPVA is for those who are survivors of service members who died on active duty, or died of a service connected disability and have been approved for DIC.

The answer to most of your questions are whether you are registered under the DEERS prgram. Check with this office in the nearest military facility.

quote:

Originally posted by Katherinei:
I am also a Widow of a U.S.Navy man. He was in for just 5 years but died while in service he relisted for four more years. I have not recived anything about the SBP. Insurance payments. I have written two letters and stil have not hurd a word from anyone . How do we get through to this people . It seems to me they really do not care about thoes of us who have been left behind. I also should have been on TRI-Care instead of the Champ VA. insurance this has not been resloved as yet.