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
Arkansas Governor’s Executive Order 20-35 defines Covid-19 as an occupational disease making it coverable by Arkansas workers’ compensation under the regular process of filing a claim. Applies to any worker who can establish that they contracted COVID-19 as a result of their job.
Contact:
State Claims Commission
101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1619
Fax: (501) 682-2823
Website: arclaimscommission.arkansas.gov
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Up to $200,000: $50,000 for deaths related to official duties and an additional up to $200,000 if killed in an incident related to responding, engaging in, or returning from a fire. Full payment to spouse and/or children under age 22. Lesser amount to parents if no surviving spouse or children. Additional benefits paid in three annual installments. Covers State Forestry and Arkansas Fire Training Academy employees and firefighters at Camp Robinson and Fort Chaffee. Volunteer firefighters are eligible for the award.
Contact:
State Claims Commission
101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1619
Fax: (501) 682-2823
Website: arclaimscommission.arkansas.gov
The Claims Commission is governed by Ark. Code Ann. §19-10-201–223, 21-5-701–708, 6-82-501–507.
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Includes, firefighters who die from the following cancers including death from leukemia, lymphoma, mesothelioma, and multiple myeloma and cancer of the brain, digestive tract, urinary tract, liver, skin, breast, cervical, thyroid, prostate, testicles, or a cancer that has been found by research and statistics to show higher incidences of occurrences in firefighters than in the general population, if he or she was exposed to a known carcinogen as determined by the Department of Heath with consideration to the findings of the International Agency for Research on Cancer while in the official line of duty. [ArkansasTitle 21-5-7-705(a)]
Applies also to volunteer firefighters.
The Attorney General’s office determines exact amounts of benefits.
Contact:
State Claims Commission
101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 682-1619
Fax: (501) 682-2823
Website: www.arclaimscommission.arkansas.gov
Reference: Arkansas annotated code 19-10-201 Act 839
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Contact: Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission P.O. Box 950 324 Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72203-0950 Phone: (501) 682-3930 Toll Free: (800) 622-4472 Website: www.awcc.state.ar.us
Reference: Workers’ Comp ARKLEG Statutes 11-9-527; 14-28-102FUNERAL BENEFIT
A maximum of $6,000 is available for burial expenses.
Contact:
Arkansas Workers’ Compensation Commission
P.O. Box 950
324 Spring Street
Little Rock, AR 72203-0950
Phone: (501) 682-3930
Toll Free: (800) 622-4472
Website: www.awcc.state.ar.us
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
For members of Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System (LOPFI). LOPFI is a statewide defined benefits system for police officers and firefighters.
If a member dies prior to retirement, a benefit may be payable to spouse and dependent children based on criteria including years of credited service.
Career firefighters: If duty-related death occurs before age 55 with any amount of service, credit determined as if deceased has accrued 25 years of service. Spousal benefit computed as if employee had retired; monthly benefit equal to 50% of the amount firefighter would receive. Benefit for dependent children based on several factors.
Volunteer firefighters: If duty-related death, service credit is determined as if the member has accrued 25 years of service. Volunteer service is indexed. Spousal benefit computed as if employee had retired; monthly benefit equal to 50% of the amount volunteer firefighter would receive. Benefit for dependent children based on several factors.
Disability Benefits: Any active LOPFI member who becomes totally and permanently disabled from their duties is eligible for disability retirement upon meeting established criteria. Check with local jurisdiction or your department’s benefits’ officer.
Contact:
LOPFI
620 W. 3rd Street, Suite 200
Little Rock, AR 72201-2223
Phone: (501) 682-1745
Toll Free: (866) 859-1745
Fax: (501) 682-1751
Website: www.lopfi-prb.com
Reference: LOPFI Handbook 2020
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Contact: Arkansas Department of Higher Education 423 Main Street, Suite 400 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 371-2000 Website: www.adhe.edu
Reference: Law Enforcement Officer’s Dependents’ ScholarshipEDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Same as for children, except for age limit. If spouse remarries, benefits cease at the end of the semester in which remarriage occurs.
Contact:
Arkansas Department of Higher Education
423 Main Street, Suite 400
Little Rock, AR 72201
Phone: (501) 371-2000
Website: www.adhe.edu
Reference: Law Enforcement Officer’s Dependents’ Scholarship
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Kid’s Chance of Arkansas
Phone: (866) 880-8444
Website: www.kidschancear.org
A scholarship program for children of workers killed or left permanently and totally disabled by job-related injuries or illnesses that are covered under the Arkansas workers’ compensation laws. Act 1757 of 2001 granted the Workers’ Compensation Commission the authority to donate any excess funds from the Commission’s annual educational conference to Kids’ Chance of Arkansas.
Arkansas State Firefighters’ Association
Attn: President Bo Higgenbothem
Phone: 870-364-4134
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.theasffa.com
Provides a $4,000 Firefighter AD&D accident policy, and $1,000 funeral benefit. Contact ASFA for details specific to the deceased firefighter. Additional AD&D benefits are available.
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.
