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
DC has expanded certain benefits with a COVID-19 focus. Some of these programs will have an end point. Check with DC government for time-limited benefits. Here is a one-page overview.
Contact:
District of Columbia Workers’ Compensation
Department of Employment Services
Labor Standards Bureau
4058 Minnesota Avenue N.E., Third Floor
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 671-1000
Website: www.does.dc.gov
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
If a member dies in the performance of duty and the Mayor determines that the death was the sole and direct result of a personal injury sustained while performing such duty, a lump sum of $50,000 shall be made to the primary survivor. If more than one eligible survivor, each receives equal share of amount. If no eligible survivor, payment shall go to the parent or sibling if the parent or sibling received more than one half of his or her support from the member.
Contact:
Department of Human Resources
DCHR Benefits & Retirement Administration
Government of the District of Columbia
1015 Half Street, SE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 442-9700
Fax: (202) 727-1054
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: dchr.dc.gov
Reference: Title 5, Ch 7, Sub 16 DC Official Code
Resource: A review of DC Government Employee Benefits (2021)
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The following illnesses are covered: cancer (breast, pancreatic, rectal, testicular, throat, ovarian, leukemia), chronic diseases (heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disease), and communicable diseases (hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV))
Contact:
District of Columbia Workers’ Compensation
Department of Employment Services
Labor Standards Bureau
4058 Minnesota Avenue N.E., Third Floor
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 671-1000
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: does.dc.gov
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Benefit for spouse is 50% of employee’s weekly wage and spouse with child can receive 66 2/3% of wages. Spouse receives two-year lump sum upon remarriage or entry into domestic partnership and weekly benefits cease. If no surviving spouse, but one surviving child, s/he will receive 50% of employee’s weekly wage. If more than one child survivor without surviving spouse, percentage is increased to 66 2/3%. Children eligible until age 18 or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support, or until age 23 if full-time students.
Contact:
District of Columbia Workers’ Compensation
Department of Employment Services
Labor Standards Bureau
4058 Minnesota Avenue N.E., Third Floor
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 671-7000
Fax: (202) 673-6993
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: does.dc.gov
Reference: Title 32, Ch 15, Sub 9 DC Official Code
FUNERAL BENEFIT
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
If a member dies in the performance of duty after December 29, 1993, and leaves a widow or widower entitled to all or a portion of the lump sum payment, an additional annuity shall be paid. It shall equal 100% of the member’s pay at the time of death and shall be increased at the same rate as the change in the Consumer Price Index. This benefit shall be paid in lieu of any other benefits listed below. In the case of the death of a member before retirement, an annuity shall be paid to the spouse of approximately 40% of member’s average pay at time of death. Children eligible for additional benefits of approximately 60% of member’s average pay. Unmarried children are eligible until age 18 or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support or to age 22 if student. If multiple children survivors, percentage shifts. Spouse’s annuity terminates upon remarriage before age 55; can be restored if remarriage is terminated. Lump sum survivor benefit of $50,000 is also available.
Contact:
Department of Human Resources
DCHR Benefits & Retirement Administration
Government of the District of Columbia
1015 Half Street, SE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 442-7627
Fax: (202) 727-9070
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: dchr.dc.gov
Reference: Title 5, Ch 7, Sub 16 DC Official Code
Resource: Police and Firefighters Retirement
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
None.
See non-profit or private organizations.
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
None.
See non-profit or private organizations immediately following.
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
HEROES, Inc.
1200 29th St NW Washington, DC 20007 Phone: (202) 638-6658 Fax: (202) 628-3610 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.heroes.org Provides up to $6,000 for funeral expenses and an immediate check for $5,000 within 24 hours of death. Also provides college scholarship aid including room and board, tuition, books and associated fees. Aid is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate education.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.
