U.S. Navy now offering death gratuity electronically

U.S. Navy now offering death gratuity electronically
Stars and Stripes
Mideast edition, Wednesday, September 10, 2008

The Navy is now awarding death gratuities electronically.

The move was announced in a Sept. 3 Navy-wide message.

"Research has indicated that check payments, especially in large amounts, may be held by most financial institutions for seven to 10 business days," the message said. "EFT (Electronic Funds Transfer) payments will improve the security and speed by which these funds will be made available to the eligible beneficiary."

Beneficiaries can still request a paper check, according to the message.

The first death gratuity processed electronically for a fallen sailor was on Aug. 12, according to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service.


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