Updated July 2021 (COVID-19 related benefits updated April 2021)
COVID-19 BENEFITS
COVID-19-related first responder deaths are considered line-of-duty deaths under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. Legislation passed in August 2020 established a statutory presumption for first responders who die from, or are disabled by complications related to, COVID-19. Prior to August, suspected cases were required to have proof that exposure occurred during their work duties.
(Legislation: S.3607 – Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020)
Contact:
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program
Phone: (888) 744-6513
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: bja.ojp.gov/program/psob
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020. The Federal Emergency Management Agency will provide up to $9,000 per funeral and up to $35,500 per applicant to help with expenses related to coronavirus deaths that occurred after January 20, 2020.
Contact:
COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Information
(Applications accepted starting April 12, 2021)
Phone: (844) 684-6333
TTY: 800-462-7585
Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8:00 am to 8:00 pm CST
Website: www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance#eligible
In May, 2020, the Alaska State Legislature extended the March 11, 2020 Workers’ Compensation Presumption of Compensability statute, to read:
“An Act extending the March 11, 2020, governor’s declaration of a public health disaster emergency in response to the novel coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic relating to the Covid-19 disease is conclusively presumed to have contracted an occupational disease arising out of and in the course of employment if, during the public health disaster emergency declared by the governor under AS 26.23.202… [and if]the employee is employed as a firefighter, emergency medital technician, paramedic, peace officer or health care provider….”
This benefit program may end when the Declaration of a Public Health Disaster is no longer in effect.
Legislation: https://www.akleg.gov/basis/Bill/Text/31?Hsid=SB0241E
Contact:
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers’ Compensation
P.O. Box 115512
Juneau, AK 99801-5512
Phone: (907) 465-2790
Toll Free: (877) 783-4980
Fax: (907) 465-2797
Website: labor.alaska.gov/wc/
Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
ACPE offers COVID-19 Economic Hardship Forbearance
In response to the COVID-19 emergency, ACPE is making a COVID-19 related economic hardship forbearance available to our customers with Alaska state education loans. This forbearance postpones payments for three months and may be extended if needed.
Please contact us to request a forbearance on your Alaska state education loan at [email protected] or 800-441-2962 option #1.
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Workers’ Compensation pays a one-time benefit of $5,000 to surviving spouse and children.
For members covered under the Public Employees’ Retirement System (PERS): $2,000 life insurance benefit and a $5,000 accidental death benefit.
Contact:
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers’ Compensation
P.O. Box 115512
Juneau, AK 99801-5512
Phone: (907) 465-2790
Toll Free: (877) 783-4980
Fax: (907) 465-2797
Website: labor.alaska.gov/wc/
Contact:
Public Employees’ Retirement System
Alaska Department of Administration
Division of Retirement and Benefits
P.O. Box 11023
Juneau, AK 99811-0203
Phone: (907) 465-4460 or
Toll Free: (800) 821-2251
Fax: 907-465-3086
Website: doa.alaska.gov/drb/pers
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
There is a presumption that a claim for compensation of disability as a result of the following diseases is within the workers‘ compensation provision: brain cancer, malignant melanoma, leukemia, non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, bladder cancer, ureter cancer, kidney cancer and prostate cancer.
For information on presumptive coronavirus exposure, see section 1, Covid-19 Related.
Contact:
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers’ Compensation
P.O. Box 115512
Juneau, AK 99801-5512
Phone: (907) 465-2790
Toll Free: (877) 783-4980
Fax: (907) 465-2797
Website: labor.alaska.gov/wc/
(Reference: Alaska Workers’ Compensation Act, AK Statutes 23-30-215; See also Workers’ Comp Bulletin 19-06, Death Benefits
)
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Career firefighters: For surviving spouse with no children, benefit is equal to 80% of the employee’s spendable weekly wage (gross less federal income and social security taxes). For surviving spouse with one child, 90% of the employee’s spendable weekly wage. For spouse with two or more children, 100% of the spendable weekly wage. For no spouse and one or more children, 100% of the employee’s spendable weekly wage. Wages are subject to the minimum and maximum benefit caps, which are set by the Alaska Workers’ Compensation Board each year. Upon remarriage spouse receives two-year lump sum and benefits terminate. Benefits to spouse end 10 years after firefighter’s death unless spouse has reached age 52 or is permanently and totally disabled. Children eligible until age 19 or married; full-time students receive benefits regardless of age, for first four years following the firefighter’s death.
Volunteer firefighters: A political subdivision may elect to provide benefits and compensation to its volunteer firefighters. It must obtain insurance that would provide benefits and compensation at least equivalent to those provided by the state. If a volunteer firefighter is injured in the line of duty, the computation shall be based on the minimum gross weekly earnings paid a fulltime firefighter employed in the political subdivision where the injury occurred or other similar formula. It must be equal to or greater than the minimum wage computed on the basis of a 40-hour week.
Contact:
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers’ Compensation
P.O. Box 115512
Juneau, AK 99801-5512
Phone: (907) 465-2790
Toll Free: (877) 783-4980
Fax: (907) 465-2797
Website: labor.alaska.gov/wc/
Read: Graphic guide to Alaska Workers’ Compensation
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Maximum of $10,000 for burial expenses. Spouse and/or children also get a lump sum of $5,000.
Contact:
Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Division of Workers’ Compensation
P.O. Box 115512
Juneau, AK 99801-5512
Phone: (907) 465-2790
Toll Free: (877) 783-4980
Fax: (907) 465-2797
Website: labor.alaska.gov/wc/
ACA Health Insurance Extension
As of June, 2017, health insurance benefits are extended to family member survivors of peace officers and firefighters killed in the line of duty. The state of Alaska (along with cost-sharing among municipalities) will pay 100% of the premiums. Health insurance must be extended at the same level as when the peace officer or firefighter was killed.
Coverage will spouse will cease when other insurance is obtained, such as Medicare at age 65. Adult children will lose coverage at age 26 or they obtain coverage by other means.
Contact:
Alaska Department of Public Safety
Division of Administrative Services
450 Whittier Street
Anchorage, AK 99811-1200
Phone: (907) 465-4347
Fax: (907) 465-4362
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.dps.alaska.gov
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Members of PERS who die from occupational causes: The eligible survivor receives a monthly pension. It is the greater of 50% of the gross salary or 75% of the normal retirement benefit the member would have received at retirement. The member does not have to be vested to qualify for occupational death benefits. The spouse is automatically the designated beneficiary. If there is no eligible spouse, children equally divide the pension.
Major medical insurance coverage is available to survivors who are receiving monthly PERS benefits and their dependents. This coverage ends when the benefit recipient dies or is no longer eligible to receive monthly PERS benefits.
For reliable information on Alaska death benefits for public employees see the PERS Handbook, http://doa.alaska.gov/drb/pdf/dcrp/DCRHandbook2018Web.pdf, pages 15-18.
Contact:
Public Employees’ Retirement System
Alaska Department of Administration
Division of Retirement and Benefits
6th Floor, State Office Building
P.O. Box 11023
Juneau, AK 99811-0203
Phone: (907) 465-4460 or
Toll Free: (800) 821-2251
Website: doa.alaska.gov.drb/pers
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Provides tuition and fees to institutions in the University of Alaska system. Does not cover room, board and books. Maximum 5 years benefit. Benefit includes stepchildren.
Also contact the business office at the specific campus of attendance within the University system.
Contact:
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811
Phone: (907) 441-2962
Toll Free: (800) 441-2962
Website: acpe.alaska.gov
Reference: Alaska Statute 14.43.085
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Provides tuition and fees to institutions in the University of Alaska system. Does not cover room, board and books. Benefit does not cease with remarriage. Maximum 5 years benefit.
Also contact the business office at the specific campus of attendance within the University system.
Contact:
The Alaska Commission on Postsecondary Education
P.O. Box 110505
Juneau, AK 99811
Phone: (907) 441-2962
Toll Free: (800) 441-2962
Website: acpe.alaska.gov
Reference: Alaska Statute 14.43.085
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Alaska State Firefighters Association
P.O. Box 56884
North Pole, AK 9970599685
Phone: (907) 359-2246 or (907)-723-4094
Website: alaskastatefirefighters.org
The ASFA pays for its members to have a $10,000 Accidental Death & Dismemberment policy. Volunteer firefighters and emergency responders are covered by the AD&D policy while performing any activity of their organizations and when they are off-duty.
Kids’ Chance Alaska
1401 Rudakof Circle
Anchorage, AK 99508
Phone: (907) 929-9112
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.kidschanceofalaska.org
Kids’ Chance of Alaska is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides scholarships for children of workers that have been seriously injured or killed in a compensable work-related accident or occupational disease. Scholarships are awarded once a year and students may apply every year for which they are eligible. Current annual scholarship amounts range from $1,000 to $5,000 and are determined based on the student’s financial need.
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
P.O. Box 498
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Phone: (301) 4471-1365
FAX: (301) 4471-1645
Website: www.firehero.org
The Sarbanes Scholarship Program
Spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial are eligible to apply for the NFFF Sarbanes Scholarship Program along with other partner programs. The NFFF Sarbanes Scholarships are awarded for undergraduate and graduate studies, vocational-technical training, and certification and job training programs. They may be used for study at in-state or out-of-state public and private schools.
The International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Website: client.prod.iaff.org/#contentid=1743
The W. H. “Howie” McClennan scholarship provides financial assistance for sons, daughters or legally adopted children of IAFF Union Members killed in the line of duty planning to attend a university, accredited college or other institution of higher learning. Scholarship amount is $2,500 per year, renewable up to 4 consecutive years.
FUNERAL & CREMATION BENEFITS
Dignity Memorial
Phone: (800) 343-4464Website: www.dignitymemorial.com
Dignity Memorial is a consortium of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers across the United States and Canada. They have a Public Servants Program for first responders and emergency services workers. Dignity provides these services, at no cost, for career and volunteer firefighters who are killed in the line of duty. Also provides “extended counseling” to the grieving family. There is a location finder per state on the website, and funeral directors are encouraged to contact Dignity regarding the first responder program.
Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.
2913 Gardner RoadBroadview, IL 50155
Phone: (708) 681-7040 (Terry Whitlock)
Website: www.wilbert.com
Wilbert provides complimentary burial vaults (including urns vaults) for fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters through 193 licensee locations. Funeral directors should contact Wilbert for information on obtaining vaults.
