Effective November 26, 2015, the Postal Service™ is revising the Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM) 567.3 and 587.6 to incorporate the Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-73) into the ELM. These revisions allow the Postal Service to furnish a United States flag on behalf of employees or annuitants who die of injuries incurred in connection with their employment.
Employee and Labor Relations Manual (ELM)
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5 Employee Benefits
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560 Civil Service Retirement Program
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567 Death Benefits — Death in Service
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567.3 Procedure Upon Death of an Employee or Annuitant
567.31 Contacting Next of Kin
[Revise the text of 567.31 to read as follows:]
When an employee dies, the HRSSC:
a. Contacts the next of kin or emergency addressee, and advises such person of benefits payable and of the right to apply for them; and
b. Renders every assistance in completing: SF 2800, Application for Death Benefits; FE 6, Claim for Death Benefits (Life Insurance); and SF 1153, Claim for Unpaid Compensation of Deceased Civilian Employee.
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567.333 One Application
[Revise the text of 567.333 to read as follows:]
If the current spouse is entitled to a benefit in his or her own right and also on behalf of the child(ren), he or she files only one SF 2800.
567.334 SF 1153
[Revise the text of 567.334 to read as follows:]
SF 1153 is filed through the HRSSC to the Eagan ASC.
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[Add new 567.343 to read as follows:]
567.343 Flag Recognition Benefit for Fallen Federal Civilian Employee
The Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-73) authorizes an agency to furnish a United States flag on behalf of employees who die of injuries incurred in connection with their employment under specified circumstances. An authorized Postal Service official may, upon request of the beneficiary, provide a flag on behalf of an individual who:
a. Was an employee of the agency; and
b. Died on or after December 20, 2011, of injuries incurred in connection with such individual’s employment with the Postal Service suffered as a result of:
(1) A criminal act;
(2) An act of terrorism;
(3) A natural disaster; or
(4) Other circumstances as determined by the President.
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587.6 Procedures Upon Death of an Employee
587.61 Contacting Next of Kin
[Revise the text of 587.61 to read as follows:]
When an employee dies, the HRSSC does the following:
a. Contacts the next of kin and advises such person of benefits payable and of the right to apply for them; and
b. Provides assistance in completing SF 3104, Application for Death Benefits.
The HRSSC Bereavement Team should refer the family to the Social Security Administration and provide assistance concerning the Thrift Savings Plan (see 597.62g).
587.62 Filing Death Claim Applications
[Revise the text of 587.62 to read as follows:]
The person filing for survivor benefits of a deceased employee sends SF 3104 to the Eagan ASC through the HRSSC or sends it directly to the following address:
RETIREMENT OPREATIONS CENTER
OFFICE OF PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT
PO BOX 200
BOYERS, PA 16020-0200
[Add new 587.63 to read as follows:]
587.63 Flag Recognition Benefits for Fallen Federal Civilian Employee
The Civilian Service Recognition Act of 2011 (Public Law 112-73) authorizes an agency to furnish a United States flag on behalf of employees who die of injuries incurred in connection with their employment under specified circumstances. An authorized Postal Service official may provide, upon request of the beneficiary, a flag on behalf of an individual who meets the following requirements:
a. Was an employee of the Postal Service; and
b. Died on or after December 20, 2011, due to injuries the individual received because of his or her employment with the Postal Service. These injuries must be a result of one of the following circumstances:
(1) A criminal act;
(2) An act of terrorism;
(3) A natural disaster; or
(4) Other circumstances as determined by the President.
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We will incorporate these revisions into the next online update of the ELM, which is available on the Postal Service PolicyNet website:
n Go to http://blue.usps.gov.
n In the left-hand column under “Essential Links”, click PolicyNet.
n Click Manuals.
The direct URL for the Postal Service PolicyNet website is http://blue.usps.gov/cpim.
— Compensation and Benefits,
Human Resources, 11-26-15
