Which benefit is influenced by whether the death occurred in the line of duty?

The benefit influenced by whether the death occurred in the line of duty includes several aspects, specifically death gratuity, survivor benefits, and arrears of pay. When a service member's death is classified as occurring in the line of duty, it can activate additional benefits and entitlements for their survivors.

Death gratuity is a payment made to the survivors of a service member who dies while on active duty or in certain reserve statuses. If the death is determined to be in the line of duty, the gratuity may be higher or come with fewer restrictions regarding who may qualify to receive it.

Survivor benefits, which encompass programs like the Survivor Benefit Plan (SBP), are also impacted by whether the death was in the line of duty. The circumstances of the death can influence eligibility or the amount of benefits paid to the survivors.

Arrears of pay include any pay due to the service member at the time of death and is generally payable to the designated beneficiaries. However, certain regulations governing arrears may differ based on the line of duty determination.

Because the classification of death significantly affects the availability and types of benefits that service members' families may receive, all the mentioned benefits are influenced by this determination.