Online Survivor Benefits Report (OSBR)

What you get

Reports that estimate the current and future federal benefits a survivor the program covers should be receiving, from all federal sources including the Department of War, VA, and the Social Security Administration, with monthly and lump sum amounts in one place.

How the report reaches a survivor

1. 1The death of a service memberThe report is part of casualty assistance after a service member is declared deceased.
2. 2A casualty assistance officerYour casualty assistance officer should provide the initial report shortly after the death. It is available online for six months.

Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

Which report do you need?

• The initial report

  When a service member dies, the War Department's Casualty Assistance program helps the next of kin it covers get benefits. The survivor's casualty assistance officer should provide the initial Online Survivor Benefits Report shortly after the death. It sums up estimated benefits from all federal sources and stays online for six months for the survivors it covers and the officer.

  Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

• The interactive report

  A survivor the program covers also has access to the interactive report. It lets you try what-if changes to education, work, disability, and marital status for you and your family members, then save, download, and print the results. You reach it with a myAuth account that the Family Assistance Support Team (FAST) connects to your report.

  1. 1A myAuth account linked to your reportIf you have a DS Logon, update it to myAuth. If not, create a myAuth account. Then give your myAuth military ID to FAST to connect your interactive report.

  Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

What to gather, and what it shows VA

These stay with you. BeneVets does not ask for them.

Steps, in order

1. Free help with VA survivor benefits

   The report is a casualty assistance tool, not a claim. VA survivor benefits such as DIC need their own claim; after a death on active duty, VA says your casualty assistance officer will help you complete and mail the DIC application (VA Form 21P-534a). Free help: an accredited VSO can file this with you. Find one near you in the BeneVets VSO directory at Find an accredited VSO near you.

   Source: VA.gov: accredited representatives (opens in new tab); VA.gov: DIC for spouses, children, and parents (opens in new tab)

2. Ask your casualty assistance officer for the initial report

   Your casualty assistance officer should provide the initial report shortly after the death. It is online for six months for you and the officer.

   Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

3. Set up a myAuth account

   If you have a DS Logon, update it to myAuth. If you do not, create a myAuth account. The DMDC myAuth help site, linked from the Military OneSource page, has guidance and answers to common questions.

   Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

4. Connect your report through FAST

   Give your myAuth military ID to the Family Assistance Support Team by calling 877-827-2471 or emailing MFOSBR@magellanfederal.com.

   Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

5. Open your reports on your branch's site

   On the Military OneSource report page, pick the link for your branch of service (Army, Marine Corps, Navy, Air Force and Space Force, or Coast Guard). On that site, enter the email address you gave FAST and follow the instructions for the initial report.

   Source: Military OneSource: Online Survivor Benefits Report (opens in new tab)

Good to know