December 1, 2005

Media Contact: Jeff Schrade (202)224-9093

(Washington, DC) A little Christmas cheer will be coming soon to active duty military personnel and veterans wounded and injured during operations in Afghanistan and Iraq. The payments for traumatic injuries, which will range from $25,000 to $100,000, will go to those who have lost limbs and eyesight, as well as those who have been paralyzed or suffered other serious injuries.

In addition, effective today, everyone in the armed forces covered by Servicemembers' Group Life Insurance (SGLI) will now be automatically insured for such injuries.

"As Christmas approaches, this should be welcomed news by those who have given so much on behalf of all of us," said Sen. Larry Craig (R-Idaho), who serves as chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans' Affairs. Craig crafted the legislation earlier this year after meeting with the young men in their early 20's who were wounded in Iraq ? two had lost limbs and the other was blinded after being hit by shrapnel.

"Every veteran should thank Ryan Kelly, Jeremy Feldbusch and Heath Calhoun, for bringing the need for this legislation to my attention," Craig said. "I also want to thank Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld and Veterans Secretary Jim Nicholson for their commitment in making this change happen."

Payments apply to all servicemembers whether or not their injuries occurred on the battlefield.  For those that have since passed away, payments will be made to their beneficiaries.

To apply for the benefit, all servicemembers must complete the Sevicemembers' Group Life Insurance Traumatic Injury Certification Form, which can be obtained on the Senate Veterans' Affairs Committee website: CLICK HERE FOR APPLICATION. The form requires information from the servicemember, their attending physician, and their individual service. Those who are unable to fill out the form themselves can have it completed by a family member or service representative.

Here are some examples of losses covered:

? Total and permanent loss of sight

? Loss of hand or foot by severance at or above the wrist or ankle

? Total and permanent loss of hearing

? Loss of thumb and index finger of the same hand, and/or loss of both thumbs

? Quadriplegia, paraplegia, or hemiplegia

? Burns greater than second degree, covering 30 percent of the body or 30 percent of the face

? Coma or the inability to carry out the activities of daily living resulting from traumatic injury to the brain or other traumatic injuries

? Total and permanent loss of speech.

If you need more information, call 1-800-419-1473 or visit http://www.insurance.va.gov.

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