When a retiree dies, his or her death needs to be reported to the Casualty Assistance Office as soon as possible. An initial report of death will be completed from information taken over the telephone and reported to the Defense Finance and Accounting Service, Retired Pay Center (DFAS-CL). Once the Death Certificate is obtained, the next-of-kin or beneficiary should contact the Casualty Assistance Office at the Base near you for an appointment. The appointment will take about an hour and will be conducted in a private office.

Surviving family members of retired Air Force personnel residing in the United States may report the death of a member, and receive personal assistance in applying for eligible benefits on their behalf by contacting:

• The Casualty Assistance Representative (CAR) at the nearest Air Force Base Airman & Family Readiness Center. You can contact the Ellsworth AFB Causality Assistance Representative at (605) 385-2336 or (605) 385-4663.

• Headquarters, Air Force Personnel Center toll-free at 1-877-353-6807. This system will connect your phone call directly to the CAR that will assist you. Voice mail is available after duty hours. Family members leaving a message will be called back the next duty day.

• DFAS-Cleveland on-line using their Notification of Death Fast Form, which can be found on the DFAS web site

http://www.dfas.mil/dfas/retiredmilitary/survivors/Retiree-death.html