MyArmyBenefits is the Official Army Benefits Website

Finding Your Benefits is as Easy as 1 - 2 - 3!

Special information is provided for severely injured Soldiers and their families in the Wounded Warrior section of the site and for surviving family members of fallen Soldiers in the Survivor Benefits section. If you have questions or comments please contact us.

 


Surviving Family Members Gain New Benefits Reports


Ever since 9-11, Survivor Benefits Reports have been provided to surviving family members of service members who die on active duty. These reports illustrate benefits that everyone in the household receives from the Department of Defense (DOD), the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), and the Social Security Administration (SSA). Initial reports are posted on a secure website and are accessible to family members for 6 months from the date of the service member's death. Thereafter, annual Survivor Benefits Reports were printed and mailed to survivors.

We are pleased to announce that a new interactive Online Survivor Benefits Report (OSBR) is available for survivors of all service members who have died on active duty, and it can be accessed 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. These new interactive reports display not only all current and estimated future benefits but also allow survivors to input "What if?" type changes to family members' education status and plans, disability status, and marital status to see what impact those changes have on the family's benefit amounts. This information is invaluable for a family's financial planning.

To access these new reports, you will need to have a new "DS Logon Premium Account" and password. If you do not yet have a DS Logon Premium Account, you can visit the Defense Manpower Data Center's website to create one: https://www.dmdc.osd.mil/identitymanagement.

Once you have obtained a DS Logon, please provide the DS Logon User ID to the Family Assistance Support Team (FAST) at 877-827-2471 or by email: osbr@afsc.com to establish initial access to the calculator and OSBR information. If you need any assistance accessing the calculator and OSBR, please contact the FAST (877-827-2471 or by email: osbr@afsc.com).

To log in and use the OSBR calculator, select the appropriate branch of service below, and then follow the instructions on the site:

 

 

Veterans and the Affordable Care Act

Veterans enrolled in VA health care do not need to take additional steps

The Affordable Care Act, also known as the Health Care Law, was created to expand access to coverage, control health care costs and improve health care quality and care coordination. The health care law does not change VA health benefits or Veterans' out-of-pocket costs. If you are not enrolled in VA health care, you can apply at any time.

U.S. taxpayers are required to declare that they have health coverage on their federal tax forms. The Health Insurance Marketplace open enrollment period for coverage in 2016 was November 1, 2015, through January 31, 2016.

When the 2016 Open Enrollment Period is over, you can enroll in a 2016 health insurance plan if you have a life event that qualifies you for a special enrollment period. Consumers who want to take advantage of the special enrollment period can find out if they are eligible by visiting https://www.healthcare.gov/coverage-outside-open-enrollment/special-enrollment-period/.

For more information, please visit the VA's site here.

 

 


Soldiers Must Complete School Before Promotion


Soldiers will no longer be promoted without first having successfully completed related professional military education, or PME, courses, according to recently-signed Army Directive. Soldiers will need to complete their schooling before they are allowed their new stripes. For more information, please click here.

 

 

MyArmyBenefits "The Movie 2"

MyArmyBenefits has gone Hollywood!

Well, actually to be more accurate we've joined the YouTube generation with MyArmyBenefits "The Movie 2".You can now find 6 short video clips on our Multimedia page that demonstrate why knowing about their benefits empowers Soldiers and their Families in making life decisions.

MyArmyBenefits "The Movie 2" features near-award winning performances by Soldier-actors from the Active army, Guard and Reserve components, and from neighborhoods not so different from yours, who dramatize real-life scenarios designed to make you think and to get started planning for the future.
The 6 scenarios cover subjects that range from sole parent and family survivor benefits, retirement calculation, re-enlistment consideration, financial planning to a disability ratings estimator that calculates military and VA disability ratings. Reservists will also be interested to see recent MyArmyBenefits enhancements that focus specifically on ARNG/USAR issues, specifically: points based retirement projections with consideration of mandatory removal dates, time in grade limitations and reduced pay eligibility dates; and survivor benefits planning regardless of duty status at time of death: active duty, inactive duty for training, with or without a 20 year letter or just out mowing the lawn.

Check it out. Admission is free.

 

 

Veterans Employment Center (VEC) VEC

Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans Employment Center (VEC) assists Soldiers and their Family members  with job placement. It is sponsored by the Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program for Reserve Components, but is open to all job seekers with a military affiliation. It contains everything a job seeker needs to find a job, including job listings, career exploration tools, education and training resources, advice, and networking opportunities. Additionally, VEC gives military-friendly companies access to service members and allows them to post job openings, search for candidates and invite them to apply, and participate in hiring events – all free to them as well.

 

 

Army Echoes

Army Echoes Goes Electronic

Army Echoes has served retirees for decades.

Now get your retirement news at the click of a mouse and receive additional retirement related bonus information by signing up for the online version of the Army's Bulletin for Retired Soldiers and Families -- Army Echoes at
http://soldierforlife.army.mil/retirement/echoes

Click here to view the Jun 2016 - Sept 2016 Army e-Echoes.

New Benefits

Local Moves and Rental Foreclosure

Soldiers and their Family Members are now authorized a local move through the Army when foreclosure action is taken against the owner/landlord of rental property in which they are residing. Read the ALARACT for more information on foreclosures and landlord/tenant issues. Also contact your local housing office for more information.


My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program

The My Career Advancement Account (MyCAA) Scholarship Program is a workforce development program that provides up to $4,000 of financial assistance to eligible military Spouses who are pursuing a license, certification or Associate's degree in a portable career field and occupation.

 

Suicide Prevention

The following resources are available for reference and assistance:

Suicide Awareness for Leaders

Resources for Suicide Prevention

Shoulder to Shoulder - Finding Strength and Hope Together

Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

Impact of Benefits in Event of Suicide:

Please note that in the event of a Soldier's death is determined to be self-inflicted, surviving Family member benefits may be subject to modification IAW Army Regulation 600-8-4. For more information contact your local benefits counselor, or call My Army Benefits at 1-888-721-2769 (1-888-721-Army).

Related Items
Army Suicide Prevention Program
Suicide Awareness Pamphlet for Leaders

Need Help with Army Benefits?

MyArmyBenefits provides answers to questions about your benefits. Contact a Benefits Specialist for further assistance.

Benefit Issues and Updates

TRICARE Requires Electronic Payments

To avoid losing coverage, beneficiaries enrolled in TRICARE Reserve Select (TRS) or TRICARE Retired Reserve (TRR) who pay monthly premiums by check need to switch to an electronic form of payment before 1 January 2013. Beginning 1 January 2013, TRICARE will only accept monthly premium payments using recurring automatic payments by credit or debit card, or by recurring electronic funds transfer (EFT) from a linked bank account. Beneficiaries can contact their regional contractor to set up automatic payments and obtain more information. Contact information for each region is available at the TRICARE Contacts webpage at http://www.tricare.mil/contacts. For more information about TRS or TRR, visit the TRICARE website at http://www.tricare.mil.

Physical Disability Board of Review

Soldiers who have been medically separated since 11 Sept 01 will have the opportunity to have their disability ratings reviewed to ensure fairness and accuracy. The new Physical Disability Board of Review (PDBR) will examine each applicants medical separation, compare DoD and VA ratings, and make a recommendation to the Army Secretary. A disability rating cannot be lowered and any change to the rating is effective on the date of final decision by the Army Secretary. To read more, click here.

Deployment Bulletin Board

Strong Bonds for Single Soldiers

The Strong Bonds program that provides retreat weekends for couples by Army Chaplains also provides a program for single Soldiers. Learn how to choose a partner wisely, build relationship skills and more. See the brochure.

Health & Well-Being

There are many resources to assist Soldiers and Family Members with their health and well-being--questions about psychological health, traumatic brain injury, counseling needs and more. Read the recent ALARACT and visit the Military OneSource and the Defense Center of Excellence websites for online resources, assistance and more information.

Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) Program

The Army's Sexual Harassment/Assault Response and Prevention (SHARP) program exists so the Army can prevent sexual harassment and sexual assaults before they occur. Our goal is to eliminate sexual assaults and sexual harassment by creating a climate that respects the dignity of every member of the Army Family. Additionally, we strive to:

  • Reduce stigma of reporting
  • Protect the victim
  • Increase prevention, investigation, prosecution and victim care capabilities
  • Increase training and resources
  • Refine and sustain response capability

Sexual harassment and sexual assault are inconsistent with Army Values and will not be tolerated. One assault is one too many. We must foster a climate of trust that respects and protects our Soldiers, Civilians, and Family members. We are committed to ensuring engaged leadership at all levels to prevent sexual assault and sexual harassment. We will hold offenders appropriately accountable. It is critical to good order and discipline that commanders retain authority and responsibility for the prevention of and response to sexual assault and the disposition of sexual assault cases.

Resources:

http://www.sexualassault.army.mil/index.cfm

DoD Sexual Assault Prevention and Response: http://www.sapr.mil/
DOD SAFE Helpline - Sexual Assault Support for the DoD Community
(877) 995-5247
Text: 55-247 (inside the U.S.)
Text: 202-470-5546 (outside the U.S.)


Helpful Deployment Links


Resilience Training

 

Family Resilience


Army Behavioral Health


After Deployment


Comprehensive Soldier Fitness

 

Related Items
Army Suicide Prevention Program
Strong Bonds for Single Soldiers