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- Gold Star and Surviving Family Member (GSSFM) Representative
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The Gold Star and Surviving Family Member (GSSFM) Representative is the Army advocate for surviving Family members – and any survivor can contact an Army GSSFM Representative directly any time for any reason. These representatives are available to provide support and address complaints by spouses and other dependents of deceased service members regarding casualty assistance or receipt of benefits authorized by law. If you have questions or concerns about casualty assistance or receipt of benefits, your GSSFM Representative can help.
You can contact a GSSFM representative at +1(833) 313-1960 or usarmy.jbsa.imcom-hq.mbx.sos-survivor-advocate@army.mil.Find more resources for survivors here.
- Casualty Assistance
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Benefits coordinators will provide expertise on local, state and federal benefits. They will work with the Casualty Assistance officer to provide guidance and assistance to the family with benefits, applications and linkage with benefit providers.
- Financial Counseling
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Financial counselors provide financial assistance, investment education and estate planning to assist the surviving family member to reach financial goals. Financial counselors work closely with the Casualty Assistance Center benefit coordinator and legal assistance to ensure estate and financial issues are addressed.
- Support Coordinator
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Support coordinators function as the long term support personnel for survivors. Support coordinators will coordinate support groups, briefings to the community and leadership; and provide life skills and supportive counseling. They work closely with Casualty Assistance Center benefit coordinators and the Casualty Assistance officer to ensure the survivor receives necessary services.
- Survivor Outreach Services
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Our Fallen Soldiers have paid the ultimate sacrifice. Their Families deserve our respect, gratitude, and the very best we can provide. If you’re a surviving Family member, Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) offers you access to support, information, and services, closest to where you live, when you need it and for as long as you need it.
Survivor Outreach Services is part of the Army Casualty Continuum of Care. It’s designed to provide long-term support to surviving Families of Fallen Soldiers. Our goal is to reassure Survivors that they remain valued members of the Army Family.
Survivor Outreach Services helps in many ways:
- Support Coordinators. The loss of a loved one often results in tremendous grief, which can be overwhelming. When faced with a tragedy, you may be wondering what direction to take. Your SOS Coordinator is your link to finding the resources and answers that will work best for you. Your local Support Coordinator is available to meet with you as you journey through this difficult transition by providing direct services as well as information, referrals, and recommendations. He or she can also connect you with support groups, spiritual resources, and bereavement and financial counselors. Your SOS Coordinator can also help you request and obtain copies of documents, navigate local, state, and federal agencies, and direct you to additional Survivor resources.
- Financial Counselors. In times of emotional distress, figuring out what to do about finances can create a heavy burden. Survivor Outreach Services Financial Counselors provide professional financial information and services in areas such as investing, estate planning, tax issues, and basic budgeting. Our Financial Counselors are committed to helping you create financial security. They also help ensure you get the information you need to make sound financial decisions.
- Gold Star Advocates provide support and address complaints about casualty assistance or receipt of benefits.
For more information about Army Survivor Outreach Services, or to locate your nearest SOS Coordinator, call toll-free +1 (855)707-2769.
To learn about the symbols of honor surviving military families wear, visit www.GoldStarPins.org.
Survivor Outreach Services (SOS) provides long-term support to surviving Families of fallen Soldiers. Our goal is to reassure survivors that they remain valued members of the Army Family.
The SOS program connects you with people who can help. Our services include grief counseling, financial counseling, benefits coordination and support groups. SOS hosts many events throughout the year to recognize and support families such as Hall of Heroes Ceremonies, Gold Star Spouse Luncheons, Gold Star Mother’s Luncheons, Gold Star Father’s Outing, Gold Star Youth Hunt and an Annual Holiday Party in December. Regardless of your loved one’s component or branch, duty status, location, or manner of death, SOS will provide dedicated outreach and support when and as long as you desire.
After a loved one is lost, unresolved issues or questions may surface months or years afterward. The Army is dedicated to fulfilling its promise by providing support to surviving Families. Our financial counselors aid surviving Families through investment and estate planning education, and our support coordinators provide long-term support. SOS can help you navigate the details.
SOS delivers services at garrisons and communities closest to where Families live. Regardless of your loved one’s component or branch, duty status, location, or manner of death, SOS will provide dedicated outreach and support when and as long as you desire.
SOS also honors survivors with Gold Star and Next of Kin lapel buttons. They are symbols of your sacrifice, widely recognized throughout the country. Find more about Gold Star and Next of Kin lapel buttons here.
To renew ID cards for Gold Star Families, please call the Casualty Assistance Office at +1 (706) 545-7116, +1 (706) 545-2710, or +1 (706) 545-4026.
