---
kind: "section"
citation: "38 U.S.C. § 1948"
title: "38"
title_heading: "Veterans’ Benefits"
number: "1948"
heading: "Total disability provision"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/38/1948"
units:
  - "Part II — General Benefits"
  - "Chapter 19 — Insurance"
  - "Subchapter II — United States Government Life Insurance"
---

# §1948. Total disability provision


The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall include in United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policies provision whereby an insured, who is totally disabled as a result of disease or injury for a period of four consecutive months or more before attaining the age of sixty-five years and before default in payment of any premium, shall be paid [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits at the rate of $5.75 monthly for each $1,000 of [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) in force when total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits become payable. The amount of such monthly payment under the provisions of this section shall not be reduced because of payment of permanent and total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits under the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy. Such payments shall be effective as of the first day of the fifth consecutive month, and shall be made monthly during the continuance of such total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1). Such payments shall be concurrent with or independent of permanent and total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits under the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy. In addition to the monthly [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits the payment of premiums on the life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) and for the total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits authorized by this section shall be waived during the continuance of such total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1). Regulations shall provide for re­examinations of beneficiaries under this section; and, in the event that it is found that an insured is no longer totally disabled, the waiver of premiums and payment of benefits shall cease and the [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy, including the total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) provision, may be continued by payment of premiums as provided in said policy and the total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) provision. Neither the dividends nor the amount payable in any settlement under any United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy shall be decreased because of [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits granted under the provisions of this section. The payment of total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits shall not prejudice the right of any insured, who is totally and permanently disabled, to permanent and total [disability](/usc/38/1701.md?p=1) benefits under the insured’s [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy. The provision authorized by this section shall not be included in any United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy heretofore or hereafter issued, except upon application, payment of premium by the insured, and proof of good health satisfactory to the [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1). The benefit granted under this section shall be on the basis of multiples of $500, and not less than $1,000 or more than the amount of [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) in force at time of application. The [Secretary](/usc/38/101.md?p=1) shall determine the amount of the monthly premium to cover the benefits of this section, and in order to continue such benefits in force the monthly premiums shall be payable until the insured attains the age of sixty-five years or until the prior maturity of the policy. In all other respects such monthly premium shall be payable under the same terms and conditions as the regular monthly premium on the United States Government life [insurance](/usc/38/1901.md?p=1) policy.


## Source credit

(Pub. L. 85–857, Sept. 2, 1958, 72 Stat. 1159, § 748; Pub. L. 97–295, § 4(27), Oct. 12, 1982, 96 Stat. 1307; Pub. L. 99–576, title VII, § 701(30), Oct. 28, 1986, 100 Stat. 3293; renumbered § 1948 and amended Pub. L. 102–83, §§ 4(b)(1), (2)(E), 5(a), Aug. 6, 1991, 105 Stat. 404–406.)

## Notes

### Editorial Notes

### Amendments

1991—Pub. L. 102–83 renumbered section 748 of this title as this section and substituted “Secretary” for “Administrator” wherever appearing.

1986—Pub. L. 99–576 substituted “the insured’s” for “his”.

1982—Pub. L. 97–295 substituted “premium” for “permium” after “payment of”.