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
On April 9, 2020, the Governor of Kentucky issued Executive Order 2020-277 temporarily suspending certain limitations related to workers’ compensation coverage and creating a presumption of coverage for certain workers removed from work due to occupational exposure to COVID-19 including healthcare workers, first responders, corrections officers, military, activated National Guard, domestic violence shelter workers, child advocacy workers, rape crises center staff, Department for Community Based Services workers, grocery workers, postal service workers and certain child care workers.
Contact:
Kentucky Office of Workers’ Claims
657 Chamberlain Avenue
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5550
Website: www.labor.ky.gov
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Pursuant to KRS 61.315 a firefighter who has lost their life as a direct result of an act in the line of duty shall receive a lump-sum payment of eighty thousand dollars ($80,000) if there are no surviving children, which sum shall be paid by the State Treasurer from the general expenditure fund of the State Treasury. If there are surviving children and a surviving spouse, the payment shall be apportioned equally among the surviving children and the spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, the payment shall be made to the surviving children, eighteen (18) or more years of age. For surviving children less than eighteen (18) years of age, the State Treasurer shall pay thirty-five thousand dollars ($35,000) to the surviving children and hold forty-five thousand dollars ($45,000) in trust divided into equal accounts at appropriate interest rates for each surviving child until the child reaches the age of eighteen (18) years. If no surviving spouse or children, payment shall be made to parents of the deceased.
Presumption that firefighter’s cause of death is as a result of cancer under certain conditions and benefits may be awarded.
Contact:
Kentucky Fire Commission
110 Cleveland Drive
Paris, KY 40361
Phone: (800) 782-6823
Fax: (859) 256-3125
Website: kyfirecommission.kctcs.edu
Reference: KY Code 61.315
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Death benefits regarding occupational diseases can be awarded at the discretion of the Kentucky Fire Commission.
Contact:
Kentucky Fire Commission
110 Cleveland Drive
Paris, KY 40361
Phone: (800) 782-6823
Fax: (859) 256-3125
Website: kyfirecommission.kctcs.edu
Reference: KY Code 61.315
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Spouse and certain dependents also entitled to income benefit. Income benefit is 50% of average weekly wage for surviving spouse with no children.
Benefit is 45% of the average weekly wage for a spouse living with children, and an additional 15% for each child until the age of 18, or age of 22 if in college. Spouse living apart from children is eligible for 40%.
If death occurs within 4 years of date of injury as a direct result of a work-related injury, a lump sum payment of $50,000 shall be awarded; lump sum adjusted on an annual basis.
Spouse receives 2-year lump sum upon remarriage with cessation of weekly benefits. Otherwise, spouse continues to receive benefits for life.
Surviving children with no surviving parent eligible for specific amounts. Other dependent family members may be eligible for specific amounts.
Contact:
Kentucky Office of Workers’ Claims
500 Mero St., 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5550
Website: labor.ky.gov
Volunteer firefighters: Covered under law with income benefits based upon the average weekly wage in their regular employment. Premium paid by the Kentucky Fire Commission.
Resource: KY Reserved Statutes, Workers’ Compensation Act, Chapter 342
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Included under Workers’ Claims lump sum payment. If death of employee occurs within four (4) years from date of injury as a direct result of the injury, a lump sum payment to the estate will be made, from which burial expenses are to be paid.
Contact:
Kentucky Office of Workers’ Claims
500 Mero St., 3rd Floor
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 564-5550
Website: labor.ky.gov
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Most Kentucky firefighters are within the Kentucky Employees Retirement System (KERS), but plans within the KERS differ dependent on the “tier” of the municipality where the firefighter worked. At least one municipality, Lexington, has its own pension plan. There are three tiers: Joined KERS before 2008, joined between 2008-2014, and joined after 2014. All tiers feature survivor, life insurance and medical insurance benefits.
Contact:
Kentucky Public Pensions Authority
1260 Louisville Road
Frankfort, KY 40601
Phone: (502) 696-8800
Fax: (502) 696-8822
Website: www.kyret.ky.gov
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Pursuant to KRS 164.2841, Any person whose parent or any nonmarried widow or widower whose spouse was a resident of the Commonwealth of Kentucky upon becoming a law enforcement officer, firefighter, or volunteer firefighter and who was killed while in active service or training for active service or who died as a result of a service-connected disability shall not be required to pay any matriculation or tuition fee upon admission to any state-supported university, community college, or vocational training institution. The provisions of this subsection shall apply to any firefighter or volunteer firefighter who is killed or dies under the conditions covered in this subsection on July 1, 1989, or thereafter.
Stepchildren are recognized for scholarships.
Contact:
Contact the school’s Financial Aid Office for more information or application.
Reference: Kentucky Revised Statutes 164.2841
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Same as for children, except for age restriction; covers only spouses who do not remarry. Also includes spouses of disabled firefighters.
Contact:
Contact the school’s Financial Aid Office for more information or application.
Reference: See above.
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Kentucky Firefighters Association
c/o Grayson Fire Department
316 East Third Street
Grayson, KY 41143
Phone: (859) 609-5576
Website: www.kyfa.org
Kentucky Firefighters Association provides resources, information, and scholarships to dependents as long as department is a participating dues member.
Kids’ Chance of Kentucky
P.O. Box 910234
Lexington, KY 40591
Phone: (859) 219-0194
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.kidschanceky.org
Kids’ Chance of Kentucky provides scholarships to dependent children of seriously or fatally injured workers.
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.
