SBP processing only applies to soldiers who are not receiving retired pay. The Reserve Component Retirement Branch maintains files and electronic data on all Army National Guard and Army Reserve soldiers who elect to use the SBP program by completing the SBP election form (DD FORM 1883) or DD Form 2656-5.

Documents Required for Processing a Claim

• A memo/letter request by the claimant notifying the Army of the soldier's death, and requesting all benefits and entitlements due them and their family.
• A completed DD FORM 2656-7 Application For Annuity Under The Serviceman’s Family Protection Plan and/or Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP).
• A direct deposit form from the annuitants financial institution.
• A copy of the final Death Certificate.
• If the soldier was member of the National Guard, a copy of the soldier's last annual retirement point statement (NGB 23).
• A copy of the marriage certificate or divorce decree authorizing former spouse coverage.
• A completed copy of Form W-4P Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments.
• If children are involved a completed DD Form 2790 Custodianship Certificate to Support Claim on Behalf of Minor Children of Deceased Members of the Armed Forces.
• If children are involved a completed DD Form 2788 Child Annuitant’s School Certification.

Mailing the Claim

Mail the above documentation to the following address:

Commander, U.S. Army Human Resources Command
ATTN: AHRC-PDP-TR
1600 Spearhead Division Ave
Fort Knox, KY 40122

HRC encourages you to keep a copy of your election and SBP instructions with your insurance papers and other related documents. The instructions will assist your surviving spouse with claim processing.

SBP File Updates

HRC recommends that you keep your SBP file up-to-date particularly when you have changes in your personal status. You typically have one year from the date of the event to update your information. For example, if your spouse is deceased and you remarry, you must provide a copy of your Marriage License when you make a new election. If you were not married or had no dependents when you received your 20-Year Letter and marry and/or gain dependents, you are authorized to make an election and must provide a Marriage License or Adoption Certificate.

Failure to keep your file updated may result in denial of the claim or an award of your annuity to someone other than whom you had intended.

Processing a Claim

HRC's Reserve Component Retirement Branch is the only office that can process a claim under the Reserve Component Survivor Benefit Program. Any claims you send to the Army Finance Centers are not processed unless received from HRC.

The Reserve Component Retirement Branch computes the service data required for processing, attaches the original DD Form 1883 or DD Form 2656-5 to your required documents and forwards the claim to DFAS-Cleveland Center for payment calculation. DFAS-Cleveland builds the pay file and provides the payment to the claimant. When HRC forwards the claim to DFAS-Cleveland, they notify the surviving spouse by letter.

All forms required for processing a claim may be downloaded below.

SBP Claim Forms

Form Number	Form Name
DD 2656-7	Verification for Survivor Annuity
DD 2788	Child Annuitant's School Certification
DD 2790	Custodianship Certificate to Support Claim on Behalf of Minor Children of Deceased Members of the Armed Forces
SF 1199A	Direct Deposit Sign-up Form
W-4P	Withholding Certificate for Pension or Annuity Payments

Note: these forms are in Acrobat .PDF format. If you are unable to view these files, you may download a free viewer.