Army National Guard Widow Benefits

No one ever wants to lose a spouse. However, if a member of the National Guard should pass away, the Army does its best to ensure that the member's family is taken care of. The member's status at the time of death may affect the benefits that the spouse receives. There are different benefits for members who die while on drill status, active duty or after retirement. Since the National Guard is a state entity, benefits may also vary from state to state. However, most benefits are standard across the board.

SGLI

If your spouse signed up for Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI), and paid the monthly premiums, the beneficiary will receive the full value of the policy. SGLI policies range in value from $50,000 to $400,000, based on the election of the member. The member designates a single beneficiary or multiple beneficiaries on the SGLV Form 8286, which is kept on file at the member's unit. After the member's death, the policy is usually paid within a matter of weeks.

Death Gratuity

If your spouse was on an active duty or drill status at the time of death, you will receive a death gratuity in the amount of $100,000. The purpose of the death gratuity is to help with burial expenses and other unexpected expenses that may arise in the wake of the member's death. This death gratuity will be paid within 48 hours of the death of the member.

Funeral Benefits

The military also provides funeral benefits. If your spouse dies while on a drill status, you will receive a flag ceremony with a small detail of military members to provide military funeral honors. If your spouse dies while on active duty, the military will provide a flag ceremony with full funeral honors. The military will also provide a simple casket and headstone.

Pay

In the event of your spouse's death, you will receive all unpaid pay and allowances that the member earned up to the time of death. This includes any drill pay, active duty pay, Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH) and Basic Allowance for Subsistence (BAS) earned while on active duty, and any retirement pay earned.

State Benefits

Since the National Guard is a state entity, and each state's Governor runs his own National Guard, there are some state-specific benefits. Each state varies as to what benefits it provides upon a member's death. To find out what benefits you will receive, contact your spouse's unit of assignment for specifics.