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
Colorado has published a one-page summary of benefits. It is important to remember that COVID-19 benefit programs can be time-limited, so it’s important to check with specific government departments regarding benefits.
Contact:
Division of Workers’ Compensation
Department of Labor and Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: (303) 318-8700
Toll Free: (888) 390-7936
Fax: (303) 318-8710
Website: www.colorado.gov/cdle
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Contact:
Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation
Department of Labor and Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: (303) 318-8000
Toll Free: (888) 390-7936
Fax: (303) 318-8710
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.colorado.gov/cdle
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Career firefighters: Survivors are entitled to 66 2/3 of the deceased employee’s average weekly wage (AWW), not to exceed a maximum of ninety-one percent of the state Average Weekly Wage per week for accidents occurring on or after July 1, 1989, and not less than a minimum of twenty-five percent of the applicable maximum per week.
Spouse receives a two-year lump sum payment upon remarriage. Children are compensated until age 18, or beyond 18 if physically or mentally seabed, or until age 21 if full-time students.
If there are no spouse or dependent children, other relatives such as parents, grandparents, siblings may be eligible for partial benefits which can be paid up to six years. If the deceased is under age 21 with no dependents, a payment of $15,000 is payable to the parents of the deceased.
Volunteer firefighters: Employee definition includes all members of volunteer fire departments while they are actually performing duties and while engaged in organized drills, training, and practice necessary to perform their duties. The rate of compensation of persons accidentally killed or injured while serving as a volunteer firefighter shall be at the maximum rate.
In Colorado, the Division of Worker’s Compensation does not pay benefits on a claim. Employers obtain Workers’ Compensation insurance from private insurance companies who pay benefits. The Colorado Division of Worker’s Compensation oversees claims and provides mediation services.
Contact:
Colorado Division of Workers’ Compensation
Department of Labor and Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: (303) 318-8000
Toll Free: (888) 390-7936
Fax: (303) 318-8710
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.cdle.colorado.gov/dwc
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Maximum burial allowance is $7,000.
Volunteer Firefighters: May also receive an additional funeral benefit of not less than $100.
Contact:
Division of Workers’ Compensation
Department of Labor and Employment
633 17th Street, Suite 400
Denver, CO 80202-3660
Phone: (303) 318-8000
Toll Free: (888) 390-7936
Fax: (303) 318-8710
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.colorado.gov/cdle
Reference: Colorado Reserved Statutes 8-42-114
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Career firefighters: Covered by the Fire and Police Pension Association that administers the benefits on behalf of the state for the statewide death and disability plan available for full-time firefighters. Applies to a member who dies as a direct or proximate result of an injury or occupational disease.
For deaths on or after October 15, 2002, a surviving spouse, with or without children, is eligible for monthly benefits of 70% of the monthly base salary being paid to the firefighter immediately before the death. Benefits to a spouse are payable for life. Off duty death survivor benefits are 40% for spouse and higher for spouse with dependents.
If there is no surviving spouse, this benefit is paid to eligible children if they were living in the firefighter’s home at the time of death. The total amount depends upon the number of eligible children. Children are eligible to receive benefits until age 23 if unmarried or no age limit if incapable of self-support.
If the member’s death occurs after the member is eligible for normal retirement, under a defined benefit or a hybrid plan or 25 years of service and age 55 under a money purchase plan, the survivor benefit paid to the surviving spouse and/or dependent children is the difference between 70% of the base salary and the survivor benefit payable from the member’s normal retirement plan.
On-duty survivor benefits are free from state and federal income taxes in the event that a member’s death is determined by the FPPA Board to have occurred while on-duty or as a result of occupational disease. As of 2006, Colorado Springs Fire and Police Pension plan is part of the Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado (see below).
Contact:
Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado
5290 DTC Parkway, Suite 100
Greenwood Village, CO 80111
Phone: (303) 770-3772
Toll-Free: (800) 332-3772
Fax: (303) 771-7622
Website: www.fppaco.org
FPPA on-line tools and resources
Volunteer firefighters: Dependents receive a $25,000 one-time accidental death benefit through the State of Colorado Volunteer Firefighter Accidental Death, Dismemberment and Disability Insurance Program, as part of the Volunteer Fire Fighters Pension Act.
Contact:
Division of Local Government
Executive Director’s Office
1313 Sherman Street, Room 518
Denver, CO 80203
Phone: (303) 866-4904
Fax: (303) 866-4317
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.colorado.gov/dola
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Contact:
Colorado Commission on Higher Education
Colorado Dependents Tuition Assistance Program
1560 Broadway, Suite 2200
Denver, CO 80802
Phone: (303) 862-3001
Fax: (303) 996-1329
Website: www.highered.colorado.gov
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
None.
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Pinnacol Foundation Scholarship Program (Kids’ Chance)
7501 E. Lowry Blvd.
Denver, CO 80230
Phone: (303) 361-4775
Toll-Free: (800) 873-7242
Fax: (303) 361-5775
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.pinnacol.com
Provides scholarship assistance to the natural, adopted, step-child or full dependent of a worker killed or permanently injured in a compensable work-related accident during the course and scope of employment with a Colorado-based employer and entitled to receive benefits under the Colorado Workers’ Compensation Act. The applicant must be between the ages of 16 and 25 at the time of application and must demonstrate substantial financial need.
100 Club of Colorado Springs
Lake Circle
Colorado Springs, CO 80906
Phone: (719) 577-7094
Call for available benefits.
100 Club of Montezuma County
35 S. Beech Street, #1101
Cortez, CO 81321
Facebook: 100 Club of Montezuma County
Contact for available benefits.
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.
