Upon the death of an active duty Sailor, any pay and allowances due, but not paid to the member, are disbursed to the designated beneficiary named on the member's DD Form 93, Record of Emergency Data.
UPPA may include unpaid basic pay, payment for accrued leave, amounts due for travel, per diem expenses, transportation of eligible family members, shipment of household goods, and unpaid installments of variable reenlistment bonuses.
The decedent's pay record is completely audited by the DFAS and a payment for any amount due is issued to the designated beneficiary. When there is no written designation by the member, any money due is paid to the first eligible recipient in the following order:
The member's lawful surviving spouse.
If there is no spouse, to the child or children of the member and descendants of deceased children, on their behalf.
If none of the above, to the parents of the member in equal shares or to the surviving parent.
If none of the above, to the duly appointed legal representative of the member's estate.
If none of the above, to the person(s) determined to be entitled under the laws of the state in which the member was domiciled.
The claim form required to apply for this benefit is Standard Form 1174, Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Member of the Uniformed Services. Your Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) will help you complete the required claim form.