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ARMY LAUNCHES
ONLINE SOLDIERS’ BENEFITS SERVICES PROGRAM
is
now the Army’s official one-stop resource for all benefits
information in two distinct areas.
First, the SBS website contains
general benefits information that is easy to use, current, and
accessible by the public and the Army Community.
Secondly, it provides personalized survivor, disability, and
retirement benefits reports for all Soldiers on active duty, using
their Army Knowledge Online password and accessing current Defense
Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System (DEERS) data.
“Previously, no integrated system existed to respond to Soldier and
Family needs, which was a shortcoming we identified during the
current operations in Iraq and Afghanistan,” said Army Chief of
Staff Gen. George W. Casey, Jr. “This website integrates vital
systems and programs into one resource to better serve Soldiers and
Families.”
In
2004, Congress mandated the Army to evaluate the benefits process
and to implement strategies to improve benefits understanding and
awareness. The Army commissioned a fact-finding study into the
overall awareness and knowledge levels of Soldiers and their Family
members regarding their benefits.
In
2006, the office of the Deputy Chief of Staff, G-1, with
Congressional oversight, approved the Soldiers’ Benefits Services (SBS)
website prototype.
The
SBS website
http://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil is currently operational.
Feedback to SBS by numerous stakeholders such as the Army G-1, Army
Casualty, Army Wounded Warrior Program, and Army Well-being, is
positive.
The Armed Forces
Services Corporation (AFSC) has teamed with Serco, Inc to deliver
SBS to the US Army G1. For the first time, SBS provides Soldiers
with a unique, one stop, comprehensive, and personalized program to
find all of their updated federal and state benefits, plan for their
family’s future, determine their disability retirement income, and
care for their family, should they die while serving their country
on active duty. The program has four major components: The
MyArmyBenefits website, the Army Wounded Warrior (AW2) Disability
Assistance Module, the Casualty Module, and a Help Desk that
supports these activities.
MyArmyBenefits.US.Army.Mil - No other Federal, State, or
Commercial website provides the myriad of benefits information
directly using a Soldiers Defense Enrollment and Eligibility System
(DEERS) personal data. Until now, families were left on their own
to determine what benefits they were entitled to. MyArmyBenefits
provides in English and Spanish:
- Fact
Sheets: Listed by 10 different categories and available to
anyone using the site, each fact sheet is customized by Army
Component with a standard format to provide the essential
benefits information with a link to more detailed information.
- Survivor
Planning: Active Duty Soldiers see at a glance, their families
Survivor Benefits Program (SBP) entitlements, the Department of
Veterans Affairs Dependency and Indemnity Compensation (DIC),
and Social Security (SS) Income in an integrated report. The
report provides specific dollar amounts for each benefit based
on the Soldier’s data in DEERS. It also lists the separate VA
educational benefits for the Soldier’s spouse and children.
- Retirement
Planning: Active Duty Soldiers can now see an estimate of their
retirement pay based on their DEERS data.
- What If
Planning for both Survivor and Retirement: Active Duty Soldiers
have the ability to construct scenarios to see how life events
will impact their financial future. Soldiers can add a child to
see the effect on their survivors. They can change their rank
and date of retirement to make better retirement decisions.
- AW2
Disability Benefits Report: A separate section of the MyArmyBenefits site is for Soldiers in the AW2 program. These
Wounded Warriors will be able to use a unique interactive
automated system to list their combat injuries and view a report
of their estimated disability income from all sources.
- Casualty
Benefits Analysis: This is another section of the MyArmyBenefits site that provides a Survivor’s Benefit Analysis
Report. This report is viewable by all Army Casualty Assistance
staff and Surviving Spouses of Soldiers who die on Active Duty.
To test drive:
https://myarmybenefits.us.army.mil/EN/
Status:
The VCSA , DAS, and the Army G1 have endorsed the site with a vision
for further enhancements. The site was officially launched at the
AUSA Annual Meeting, October 8-10, 2007, in Washington, DC.
AW2 Disability Assistance Module.
Using a one of a kind, specially designed, custom calculator, not
available in the federal government, the Department of Veteran’s
Affairs, and commercially, a combat wounded Soldier can list their
combat related injuries and estimate their disability retirement
income based on their personal situation. The calculator produces
an integrated disability benefits report with estimated Military
Disability Retirement Pay, VA Compensation, and Social Security
Income based on the Soldier’s injuries, military time in service,
grade, and other personal factors.
In addition to the custom calculator,
a separate, detailed, manual Estimated Retirement Compensation
Analysis is produced for AW2 Soldiers by Counselors with a
significant background in the VA rating system. These Counselors
are then available to discuss the analysis with the AW2 Soldier
Family Management Specialist (SFMS) or the Soldier.
Status:
Has been launched. Active Duty Soldiers with a password
(obtained through the AW2 program) may estimate their disability
retirement income.
Casualty Module: This module
provides an integrated capacity for Army Casualty Assistance
Officers (CAO) to provide surviving families clear, accurate,
integrated benefits calculations (per ’06 NDAA requirement). AFSC
determines the specific entitlements for Spouses and families of
Soldier’s who die on active duty while serving their country. AFSC
coordinates with the CAO and Survivor prior to posting a Benefits
Analysis Report on the MyArmyBenefits website. This service puts
the family members’ minds at rest and tells them they will be taken
care of. Assisting families in times of crisis is an AFSC core
competency. All of the uniformed services relief societies have
recognized our legendary service by providing a lifetime membership
to each active duty spouse/family with a fallen hero.
Status:
The Casualty Module is operational for
surviving families of fallen Soldiers. AFSC is entering these
cases for viewing in the Casualty Module.
Help Desk: Help Desk staff are
credentialed Benefits Specialists with military experience. These
specialists provide person-to-person contact to answer questions and
complement the MyArmyBenefits website. Soldiers and their family
members can have their questions answered on all benefits,
especially questions based on the numbers that they see on the
various reports. The Help Desk is best suited to handle these
questions and provides a level of comfort to families on all of
their benefits.
Status:
The Help Desk is operational and staffed to answer questions Now!
Soldier Family
Management Specialist (SFMS) support to the Army Wounded Warrior
(AW2) Program:
AFSC provides
four professional counselors, designated as SFMS, in support of
AW2. Three professionals are located with the Army’s Human Resource
Command in Alexandria and the other is at Walter Reed. These
professionals are able to deliver compassionate support and guidance
tailored to the personal needs of the severely injured Soldier.
Status:
Operational and fully staffed
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