Updated February 2024 (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
Signed by the governor, House Bill #2455 is a labor omnibus bill that addresses Section 5 of The Illinois Works Jobs Program Act, Section 10 of The Illinois Pension Code, Section 15 of The Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act, and Section 20 of The Unemployment Insurance Act. This KPD Update will focus on the amendment to Section 15 of The Workers’ Occupational Diseases Act. 2455 created a rebuttable presumption within Section 15 regarding COVID-19 as an injury or disease. Please check to see how long this COVID-19 presumption stays in effect.
Contact:
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
4500 S. Sixth St. Frontage Road
Springfield, IL 62703-5118
Phone: (217) 785-7087
Toll-Free: (866) 352-3033
Website: www.iwcc.il.gov
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Pursuant to the Law Enforcement Officers, Civil Defense Workers, Civil Air Patrol Members, Paramedics and Firemen Compensation Act as amended in 1995, for deaths on or after January 1, 2003, the amount shall be the rate for the previous calendar year plus the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. This benefit is adjusted for cost of living on January 1 of each year. Allow 4-8 weeks for the benefit to be processed.
The surviving beneficiary of any State or local governmental law enforcement or public safety officer who is killed in the line of duty may, within one year, make a claim to the Illinois Court of Claims for the Survivor Compensation.
The benefit is payable to a designated beneficiary as designated by the public safety officer, or if none has been designated to survivors in the following order: (1) spouse, (2) children, (3) parents, (4) siblings or children of siblings. If there are no such persons, no compensation is payable.
An Application for benefits and a Statement of Supervising Officer must be filed within one year of the date of death.
Contact:
Court of Claims
630 S. College St
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: (217) 782-7101
or
Contact:
Court of Claims
James R. Thompson Bldg.
100 W. Randolph., Ste. 10-400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: (312) 814-5010
Website: www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Municipalities may also provide a death benefit of up to $15,000.
Contact: Local municipality for further details.
Reference: Line of Duty Compensation Act – 820 ILCS 315/3
Municipalities may also provide a death benefit of up to $15,000.
Contact: Local municipality for further details.
Cook County Pension Fund
This pension fund allows the designation of a beneficiary for a $1,000 death benefit.
Contact:
Cook County Pension Fund
70 W. Madison St., Suite 1925
Chicago, Illinois 60602
Phone: (312) 603-1200
Website: www.cookcountypension.com
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Covered conditions after serving 7 or more years: heart disease, tuberculosis, any disease of the lungs or respiratory tract, AIDS, hepatitis C, stroke, and cancer.
Reference: Compiled Illinois Statutes 40 ILCS 5/6-151.1
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
All first-aid, medical and hospital expenses connected with fatal injury paid. Benefit of 66 2/3% of deceased’s gross average weekly wage continues until spouse is compensated for 20 years; children attain age 18 and leave school; or when children attain age 25 if attending an accredited educational institution. Payments to spouse end at remarriage with a 2-year lump sum payment.
Volunteer firefighters: Income benefits are based upon the average weekly wage in their regular employment.
Contact:
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
4500 S. Sixth St. Frontage Road
Springfield, IL 62703-5118
Phone: (217) 785-7087
Toll-Free: (866) 352-3033
Website: www.iwcc.il.gov
Resource: Handbook on Workers’ Compensation and Occupational Diseases
Reference: Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act – 820 ILCS 305
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Maximum of $8,000 provided through Workers’ Compensation payable to the surviving spouse or estate of a fallen public safety officer.
Contact:
Illinois Workers’ Compensation Commission
4500 S. Sixth St. Frontage Road
Springfield, IL 62703-5118
Phone: (217) 785-7087
Toll-Free: (866) 352-3033
Website: www2.illinois.gov/sites/iwcc/
Reference: Illinois Workers’ Compensation Act – 820 ILCS 305
Additionally, a burial benefit of up to a maximum of $10,000 is payable to the surviving spouse or estate of a law enforcement officer who is killed in the line of duty on or after January 1, 1999. This benefit is only paid when the family pays for the funeral/burial expenses. It is not paid to municipalities as reimbursement for expenses.
Contact:
Court of Claims
630 S. College St
Springfield, IL 62756
Phone: (217) 782-7101
or
Contact:
Court of Claims
James R. Thompson Bldg.
100 W. Randolph., Ste. 10-400
Chicago, Illinois 60601
Phone: (312) 814-5010
Website: www.cyberdriveillinois.com
Reference: Line of Duty Compensation Act – 820 ILCS 315/3.5
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
The annuity for the widow of a fireman whose death results from the performance of an act or acts of duty shall be an amount equal to 75% of the current annual salary attached to the classified position to which the fireman was certified at the time of his death. Widow’s, widower’s, and surviving children minimum annuity: $250 per month after July 1, 1981.
(Reference: Compiled Illinois Statutes 40 ILCS 5/6-140, 40 ILCS 5/6-141, & 40 ILCS 5/6-143.1)
Contact:
State Employees Retirement System (SERS)
Michael A. Bilandic Building
160 North LaSalle Street, Suite S200
Chicago, IL 60601
Phone: (312) 814-5853
Fax: (312) 814-5805
Website: srs.illinois.gov
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Plan
Benefits differ based on years of service. Additional death benefit of $3,000 for death of any members with 8 or more years of service.
Reference: Your Benefits Under the IMRF
Contact:
Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund Plan
2211 York Road, Suite 400
Oak Brook, IL 60523-2337
Phone: (800) 275-4673
Fax: (630) 76-4289
Website: www.imrf.org
» Benefits for Chicago Only
Reference: Compiled Illinois Statutes Chapter 40 Act 5, Art 6 6-150; 6-151-1
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
If you are the spouse or child of an Illinois police or fire officer who was killed or became at least 90 percent disabled in the line of duty, you may be eligible for the Grant Program for Dependents of Police or Fire Officers. This grant provides assistance toward college tuition and mandatory fees for undergraduate or graduate study at an ISAC-approved Illinois college. You may receive assistance for a maximum of the equivalent of four academic years (eight semesters or 12 quarters) of full-time enrollment. You do not need to be an Illinois resident at the time of enrollment to receive this grant.
Recipients attending approved public colleges in Illinois shall receive full payment of tuition and mandatory fees on their behalf. The grant will cover the difference in costs for courses taken at an out-of-district college that are not offered at a recipient’s in-district college. Recipients attending approved private colleges in Illinois shall receive payment of tuition and mandatory fees in an amount not to exceed the maximum grant payable to a student enrolled in the most expensive comparable program of study at a public college in Illinois. Mandatory fees are those assessed by a college to every full-time student for each term. Examples include fees for activities, facility operations, grants, health, registration, technology, transportation and others. The college determines fees that are considered mandatory.
Benefit shall continue until child’s 25th birthday.
Reference: Grant Program for Dependents of Police and Fire Officers
Contact:
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
Phone: (800) 899-4722
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.isac.org
(Reference: 820 Illinois Code 320 Section 15)
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Same as for children, except for age restriction. Remarriage ends eligibility.
Contact:
Illinois Student Assistance Commission
1755 Lake Cook Road
Deerfield, IL 60015-5209
Phone: (800) 899-4722
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.isac.org
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
100 Club of Illinois
875 N. Michigan Avenue, Suite 1351
Chicago, IL 60611
Phone: (312) 265-0920
E-Mail: [email protected]
Website: www.100clubil.org
The 100 Club of Illinois provides resources, several forms of financial support, access to training, and moral support to both the families of first responders killed in the line of duty and active duty first responders throughout the state of Illinois. When a family loses a hero, the 100 Club of Illinois offers immediate financial support to the family and emotional support for the department and the family members. The 100 Club of Illinois offers Educational Assistance to provide funding and resources for surviving dependents of fallen first responders in the State of Illinois. Assistance is provided for post-secondary education, whether a college, university, trade, or vocational school.
Kids’ Chance Illinois
318 Half Day Road #172
Buffalo Cove, IL 60089
Phone: (309) 208-5609
Website: www.kidschanceofillinois.com
Awards college scholarships to children whose parent has either been killed or seriously injured in a work-related accident.
Illinois Firefighters Association
P.O. Box 77
Glan Carbon, IL 62034
Phone: (618) 882-4783
Fax: (618) 882-7287
Website: www.illinoisfirefighters.org/member-benefits
E-mail: [email protected]
The Illinois Firefighters Association(IFA) has an indemnity fund that pays $10 per day (up to $3000) for firefighters injured in the line of duty. For firefighters killed in the line of duty the payment is $3000. Departments must be members of the Indemnity Fund, current with dues to the IFA, and current with assessments to the Indemnity Fund to be covered.
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.
