M21-1 Manual  /  Part XII, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section D

Awards Barred by Receipt of Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI)

M21-1, Part XII, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section D

Overview

In This Section

 This section contains the following topics:
TopicTopic Name
1 General Information on Awards Barred by Receipt of FEGLI
2 Actions to Take on Claims Involving FEGLI Benefits

1. General Information on Awards Barred by Receipt of FEGLI

Introduction

 This topic contains information on awards barred by receipt of FEGLI, including
  • scope of the information on awards barred by receipt of FEGLI, and
  • potential eligibility to death compensation or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC).

Change Date

 July 12, 2015

XII.i.3.D.1.a. Scope of Information on Awards Barred by Receipt of FEGLI

 This information in this section applies only to cases in which
  • the deceased person served after August 16, 1954, and prior to January 1, 1957, as a commissioned officer of the
    • Coast and Geodetic Survey (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), formerly Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA)), or
    • Public Health Service (PHS), and
  • death occurred on or after May 1, 1957.

XII.i.3.D.1.b. Potential Eligibility to Death Compensation or DIC

 For deceased officers, death compensation or Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC)
  • may be paid to dependents without regard to Federal Employees' Group Life Insurance (FEGLI) coverage if death occurred prior to May 1, 1957, and
  • may not be paid if FEGLI is payable to any person based on death on or after May 1, 1957, per 38 CFR 3.5(d).

2. Actions to Take on Claims Involving FEGLI Benefits

Introduction
 This topic contains information on the action to take on claims involving FEGLI benefits, including
  • where to obtain information concerning FEGLI benefits
  • information to include in a request to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) regarding FEGLI benefits
  • notifying the claimant regarding FEGLI benefits, and
  • taking action after receiving a reply from OPM on FEGLI benefits.
Change Date

April 7, 2021

XII.i.3.D.2.a. Where to Obtain Information Concerning FEGLI Benefits

 Send a letter to the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) requesting a statement as to whether or not FEGLI has been paid or is payable to any person when
  • a claim for death compensation or DIC is based on a death which occurred on or after May 1, 1957, and
  • the deceased person was a commissioned officer, after August 16, 1954, and prior to January 1, 1957, of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (NOAA or formerly ESSA), or PHS.
Address: OFEGLI P.O. Box 6080 Scranton, PA 18505-6080

XII.i.3.D.2.b. Information to Include in a Request to OPM Regarding FEGLI Benefits

In the request sent to OPM, be sure to state that
  • a claim has been filed with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and
  • the deceased Veteran performed active service as a commissioned officer of the Coast and Geodetic Survey (NOAA or formerly ESSA) or PHS.

XII.i.3.D.2.c. Notifying the Claimant Regarding FEGLI Benefits

Contact the claimant to
  • provide notice of the action taken when the request is sent to the OPM to
    • avoid piecemeal development, and
    • keep the claimant informed of possible delays, and
  • request evidence if there is evidence which could be supplied by the claimant without expense or undue expenditure of time and effort.
Note: If it is readily apparent that FEGLI is not payable and, therefore, not a bar, do not request evidence from the claimant. Important: This development does not preclude any other development necessary to obtain records or evidence from other sources, such as those available through Personal Information Exchange System.

XII.i.3.D.2.d. Taking Action After Receiving a Reply From OPM on FEGLI Benefits

 Use the table below to determine the action to take after receiving a reply from OPM.
If the reply states that FEGLI …Then …
  • has been paid, or
  • is payable either to the claimant or to any other person or persons
  • deny the claim, and
  • annotate the award print: “Federal Employees Group Life Insurance payable, 38 CFR 3.5(d).”
  • has not been paid, and
  • VA determines that entitlement or non-entitlement is otherwise established
take appropriate award or denial action.

Source: VA M21-1 Adjudication Procedures Manual, M21-1, Part XII, Subpart i, Chapter 3, Section D (U.S. government work, reproduced for reference). Browse all sections →