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     (5)   `:o widow(er) but surviving children only:

           (a) Whenever there is no widow(er) of a deceased veteran entitled to
DIC, it is paid in equal shares to the children of the decease    ~eteran.

           (b) A child entitled to DIC who has attained the age ~r  .8 years and
who becamt permanently incapa~le of self-support prior to age 18 shall receive a
separate award in addition to regular monthly benefits.

Parents are held to be dependent if their income is insufficient to provide
reasonable maintenance for themselves and for members of their families under
legal age.   A dependent parent is concurrently entitled to DIC based on a
sliding scale of annual incorne and their status,  that is whether there is only
one parent, two parents not living together or remarried with spouse.    A
separate additional award is payable each month to a parent who is a patient in
a nursing home or who otherwise determined to be in the need of regular medical
aid and attendance.

SURVTVOR BENEFIT PLAN (SBP)

If an active duty member dies after serving at least 20 years of creditable
service for retirement, but before the award of retired pay,   the spouse shall
receive an annuity in an amount equal to the difference between Veterans
Administration DIC payable in the surviving spouse `S behalf and 55 percent of
the amount of any retired pay the member would have been entitled to if in a
retirement status at the time of death.   Further, because SBP and Social
Security are both Federal programs, when the surviving spouse has only one
dependent child in their care,  the amount of the mother1s/father's social
security benefit attributable to the member's military service is offset from
the 55 percent level.  Similarly, after the surviving spouse reaches age 62,  the
amount of the widow's/widower's social security benefit attributable to member's
military service to which such spouse is entitled (whether or not the surviving
spouse meets all social security eligibility factors which would result in
payment being made)  is offset from the 55 percent level.  The total social
security offset may not exceed 40 ~ercent of the SBP annuity.   The completed SBP
application for an annuity must be mailed to the Commanding Officer, Marine
Corps Finance Center, Retired Pay Branch, Kansas City, MO 64197-0001.

ARREARS OF PAY

Any unpaid balance of pay and allowances due the deceased will be paid to the
beneficiary(ies) previouslydesinated by the Marine, r"gardless of relationshi~
to the deceased.   Because of teti me lag between the date of death and the
receipt of the pay accounts of the deceased for audit by the Marine Corps
Finance Center, Kansas City, MC 64197-0001, a reasonable delay can be expected
in the settlement of arrears of pay; however, an application form is sent
directly to the designated beneficiary(ies) from Headquarters U.S. Marine Corps
(Code MHP-10).   Upon receipt of the completed application and completion of the
audit, any amount due is paid to the beneficiary(ies).   A statement of earnings,
(W-2 Form)  is furnished for the current year at that time.  The arrears of pay
is comprised of pay and allowances accumulated on date of death (less any
indebtedness to the government), unused leave due on date of death, amounts
deposited in the Savings Deposit Program (savings deposits are provided by
separate check) and all other unpaid amounts.

DEATH GRATuITfl~YMENT

Death ~ratuity is a lump sum amount equal to six months basic pay (plus special
and incentive pay),  but is not less that $800.00 nor more than $3000.00.  It is
payable to the widow of the deceased or in the event there is no surviving widow
to children in equal shares, or as designated by the Marine, e.g., parents,
brothers or sisters.   If immediate payment is not made by the activity of the
deceased Marine, an application form will be sent promptly to the eligible
survivor by Headquarters Marine Corps (Code MHP-10).


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