DFAS processes first EFT of Navy death gratuity benefits
CLEVELAND
-- The Defense Finance and Accounting Service here successfully processed the first secure electronic funds transfer of U.S. Navy death gratuity benefits Aug. 12.
The EFT policy change was made after DFAS and the Navy came to an agreement Aug. 5 to offer the option to surviving family members. With the signing of this agreement, the Navy joins Army, Air Force and Marine Corps service components in providing family members the option for EFT.
“DFAS takes great pride in supporting the families of servicemembers who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country,” said Martha J. Smith, director DFAS Cleveland. “This recent collaboration is our commitment to help the Navy and the Department of Defense meet the needs of their extended family.”
Under the newly implemented EFT process, family members can receive death gratuity payments directly to a bank account of their choice.
In order to receive the payment via EFT, family member’s need only provide the Casualty Assistance Call Officer a voided check and fill out an EFT Account Information sheet. The Navy Casualty Branch will submit this information, along with the death gratuity claim, to DFAS Cleveland for processing.
“When we received the claim Aug. 12 our team quickly went to work,” explained U.S. Navy Capt. Todd Friedlander, DFAS Cleveland military pay director. “It’s tragic that we had to complete our first claim so soon after the agreement was made. Our sympathies are with the family and our mission was to allow them to grieve without added stress.”
According to Friedlander, the claim was processed the same day and the family was able to access the funds the following day.
“The EFT selection allows for some added benefits to our customers,” he said. First, EFT is a secure process; and second, EFT allows for immediate access to the funds deposited into the designated account, eliminating the hold period required for check deposits made at some banking institutions.
“DFAS is committed to timely and accurate payments of benefits for servicemembers and their families,” said Karl Bernhardt, DFAS Cleveland finance director. “Adding the EFT option for our Navy families enhances that capability.”
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Points of Contact
Defense Finance and Accounting Service
Cleveland
- Corporate Communications
Robyn Mack
Phone: 216-204-7089
