The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) has changed the definition of a stillborn child for Family Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (FSGLI) coverage. The goal is to make the death benefit available to more people.
Under the change, a stillborn child is defined as "a fetus whose fetal weight is 350 grams or more or whose duration in utero is 20 completed weeks of gestation."
Previously, a stillborn child had to meet both the weight and time in utero requirements to be covered under FSGLI.
This means that coverage is expanded to more stillborn children.
FSGLI is a life insurance program for spouses and dependent children of military members insured under SGLI.
FSGLI provides up to a maximum of $100,000 of insurance coverage for spouses, but it can't exceed the amount of SGLI coverage the service member has. Children are automatically covered under a $10,000 free policy.
The coverage may provide financial relief to families during a challenging time. While it may be used for any purpose, common choices are to pay funeral costs and transportation to another location for a funeral service.
In most cases, FSGLI coverage is automatic, based upon the information entered in the Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS.) FSGLI coverage may be reduced or declined. You can verify FSGLI enrollment by checking the deductions section of your Leave and Earnings Statement (LES).
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