The Department of Veterans Affairs has updated the regulations for the Accelerated Benefit Option (ABO) under the Servicemembers’ Group Life Insurance (SGLI), Family SGLI (FSGLI), and Veterans’ Group Life Insurance (VGLI). The amendment allows an alternate applicant to apply for the ABO on behalf of a member who is medically incapacitated. This option permits eligible individuals to receive up to 50% of their coverage’s face value in increments of $5,000 before death.

The changes include provisions for an alternate applicant to apply for terminally ill members and allow members to apply for the ABO if their insured spouse is terminally ill. Additionally, the updates ensure that stepchildren and dependent children ages 18 to 22 who are enrolled in school are covered under FSGLI.

This amendment updates regulations that have been in place since 1998, when only the member could apply for the ABO. For further details or to apply, individuals can visit the VA benefits website.