When a firefighter dies in the line of duty, families must adjust to life without their loved one.
Too often, they must also face the loss of the primary breadwinner.
While no amount of money or financial support can compensate for the loss of a loved one, benefits honor the service of firefighters and ensure their families are not forgotten.
The National Fallen Firefighters Foundation has conducted extensive research in each state to identify the range of benefits available to families of state and local firefighters who died in the line of duty. These include lump sum death payments, workers’ compensation, funeral benefits, pensions and retirement programs, scholarships, and non-profit/private support. We encourage all fire departments to have a current list of federal, state and local benefits readily available.
» More: Survivor Benefits Guide (PDF) | Are Death Benefits Taxable?
Federal Benefits
Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB)
A unique effort of the U.S. Department of Justice; local, state, tribal, and federal public safety agencies; and national organizations, the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Programs provide death and education benefits to families of fallen firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. The PSOB Office at the Bureau of Justice Assistance is honored to review the nearly 700 claims submitted each year on behalf of America’s fallen and catastrophically disabled public safety heroes and their loved ones. Visit www.psob.gov for details regarding PSOB’s death, disability, and educational assistance programs.
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Send updated family benefit information to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits
A unique effort of the U.S. Department of Justice; local, state, tribal, and federal public safety agencies; and national organizations, the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Programs provide death and education benefits to survivors of fallen firefighters, law enforcement officers, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. The PSOB Office at the Bureau of Justice Assistance is honored to review the nearly 700 claims submitted each year on behalf of America’s fallen and catastrophically disabled public safety heroes and their loved ones. Visit www.psob.gov for details regarding PSOB’s death, disability, and educational assistance programs.
