The Defense Department is committed to taking care of survivors. Each branch of the military offers a Casualty Assistance program that provides long-term support to eligible survivors.
Your casualty assistance officer, or CAO, also referred to as a casualty assistance calls officer or casualty assistance representative, will reach out to you and is your first point of contact following your loved one’s death.
Once all benefits are applied for and received and after all requests for fatality reports or investigations have been obtained — or when you determine that assistance is no longer needed — your CAO will coordinate a warm handoff to your service’s long-term case management program. The program has expert case managers and counselors who will provide dedicated outreach and support when, and for as long as, you desire.
