Monday, April 13, 2015

1 Apr 15 - Casualty Assistance Office

Question:  Casualty Assistance Office:  Assisting surviving spouse of a Retiree.  We are told that we can only assist Active Duty families.  Before we sent the Soldier to Florida to assist the surviving spouse, we asked SOS and they said that the Soldier could not travel and they would not pay for it.

Answer:  We need to look at each situation on a case-by-case basis.  We are preaching Soldier for Life, so we can’t just be promoting it on a slide.  We need to do what’s right and take care of their families too.  We need to get with ACS and SOS and discuss a way ahead on how to improve this situation.  I will approve it.

ACS/SOS Response: We service Retirees and invite them to all our events. The problem is we don't have information on issues really pertinent to them like VA and RSO when it comes to Widows Pension or SBP.  We help them by referring them to those agencies and ones such as AER or local agencies if they need food, shelter or clothing. The issue of whether or nor not we go to their homes is on a case by case basis but Active Duty SOS is not like SOS Reserve or SOS NG in which their main job/focus is to  visit families in their homes. We have always been told that we have money to travel but not specifically to homes for visits but to set up within local events to get the SOS message out there and we plan to do that whenever possible with plans to visit Valdosta in the near future.  SOS Financial Counselor has been assisting all Survivors, retirees and active duty when requested and can set up an appointment at a predetermined location. We will service and answer questions for anyone who needs it and never ever turn ANYONE AWAY.  Sir, we not only answer the questions we call the agencies to get the exact information so Survivors do not get the run around or get confused.  But if the case is still active and benefits have not been received within the Casualty arena Ms. Linda Johnson the Benefit Coordinator is the best person to handle those issues. No problems have been brought to our attention or Casualty that I am aware of. We work well to handle all Survivor issues.

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