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
COVID-19 has not been listed as a compensable occupational disease/injury for Maine’s first responders. If COVID-19 were to be found compensable, medical bills and wages/death benefits would apply. Since Maine does have death and disability statute regarding occupational diseases (including cardio vascular/pulmonary disease) it is important to follow up with the Worker’s Compensation Board.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Board
27 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0027
Phone: (207) 287-3751 or
Toll Free (Maine Only): (888) 801-9087
Fax: (207) 287-7198
Website: www.maine.gov/wcb
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Benefit of $100,000 if State Fire Marshal determines firefighter died in the line of duty. Line of duty is defined as sustaining an injury or illness during performance of official duties that results in death.
If no surviving child, surviving spouse receives total benefit. If surviving spouse and children, 50% to the spouse and the other 50% to the child or children in equal shares. At the time of death, the child must be conceived or less than 19 years of age, 19 or more years of age, but less than 25 years of age, and accepted for admission or enrolled in a full-time postsecondary educational institution, or 19 or more years of age and is incapable of self-support because of a physical or mental disability. If no surviving child or spouse, benefit to the parents in equal shares. State Fire Marshal may award interim benefits.
Contact:
Office of the State Fire Marshal
52 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0052
Phone: (207) 626-3870
Website: www.maine.gov/dps/fmo/
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 25, Part 4, Chapter 195-A, §1612
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The law includes a presumption that an injury or cardiovascular/pulmonary disease is related to duties if the disease, injury or death occurred within 6 months of having participated in firefighting or active firefighting training or drill.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Board
27 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0027
Phone: (207) 287-3751 or
Toll Free (Maine Only): (888) 801-9087
Fax: (207) 287-7198
Website: www.maine.gov/wcb
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 39-A, Part 1, Chapter 5, § 215
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 39-A, Part 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, § 328
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Benefit equal to 2/3 of employee’s gross average weekly wages up to 500 weeks. Maximum amount applies. SAWW will adjust on July 1 every year.
Volunteer firefighters: Act includes active members of volunteer fire associations as employees. The average weekly wage must be taken to be the earning capacity in the occupation in which the employee was regularly engaged.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Board
27 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0027
Phone: (207) 287-3751 or
Toll Free (Maine Only): (888) 801-9087
Fax: (207) 287-7198
Website: www.maine.gov/wcb
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 39-A, Part 1, Chapter 5, § 215
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 39-A, Part 1, Chapter 7, Subchapter 1, § 328
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Maximum of $4,000 for burial expenses and $3,000 incidental compensation to the employee’s estate.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Board
27 State House Station
Augusta, ME 04333-0027
Phone: (207) 287-3751 or
Toll Free (Maine Only): (888) 801-9087
Fax: (207) 287-7198
Website: www.maine.gov/wcb
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 39-A, Part 1, Chapter 5, § 216
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Career firefighters: Applies where towns participate in Maine State Retirement System (MSRS). For accidental, job-related death, spouse with no dependent children receives monthly benefits for life based on 2/3 average final compensation. Spouse with dependent children receives monthly benefits based on 100% AFC until children no longer dependent; spouse’s benefit based on 2/3 average final compensation after that. Children eligible if unmarried and under age 18, or under age 22 if full-time student.
Not every town participates in MSRS. Check with Benefits Officer of the fallen firefighter’s department for correct retirement benefit information.
Contact:
Maine Public Employees Retirement System
139 Capitol Street
Augusta, ME 04332
Phone: (207) 512-3100
Toll-Free: (800) 451-9800
Fax: (207) 512-3101
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mainepers.org
Resource: PLD Member Handbook
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Tuition waivers for children of firefighters killed in the line of duty or as a result of injuries received from external causes as a result of the active performance of their official duties. Tuition waivers valid at state post-secondary education institutions within the University of Maine System, the Maine Technical College System, the Maine Community College system, or at the Maine Maritime Academy.
Limited to five years of full-time enrollment. Eligibility limited to residents of Maine.
Children must have been under the age of 21 at the time of the parent’s death. This benefit also covers eligible foster children.
Contact:
Finance Authority of Maine
5 Community Drive
P.O. Box 949
Augusta, ME 04332-0949
Phone: (207) 623-3263
Toll-Free: (800) 228-3734
Fax: (207) 623-0095
Website: www.famemaine.com
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 20-A, Part 5, Chapter 429, § 12553
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Same as for children, except for age.
Contact:
Finance Authority of Maine
5 Community Drive
P.O. Box 949
Augusta, ME 04332-0949
Phone: (207) 623-3263
Toll-Free: (800) 228-3734
Fax: (207) 623-0095
Website: www.famemaine.com
Reference: Maine Revised Statutes: Title 20-A, Part 5, Chapter 429, § 12553
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Kids’ Chance of Maine
Tucker Law Group
P.O. Box 696
81 Maine Street, #3
Bangor, ME 04402
Phone: (207) 370-8446
Toll-Free: (800) 660-1306
Fax: (207) 791-3336
Website: www.kidschanceofmaine.org
Kids’ Chance Maine provides scholarships of children of Maine workers who are killed and who are eligible for workers’ compensation benefits.
100 Club of Maine
P.O. Box 365
York, ME 03906
Phone: (603) 474-3453
Provides financial assistance and access to resources (including moral support) to Maine LODD survivors.
Maine State Federation of Firefighters
21 Aspen Lane
Bath, ME 04530
Phone: (207) 504-1949
Fax: (207) 882-7550
Website: msfff.org
The Maine State Federation of Firefighters’ death benefit program pays $500.00 upon the death of any active member of the Federation. The member’s family can use the benefit for any purpose. The benefit is payable immediately on the member’s death. Over the years many family members have thanked us for being there for them so quickly during difficult times.
The Federation also has on accidental death and dismemberment program with American Income Life Insurance Company. That program pays a $4,000 benefit to the family of any member killed accidentally.
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.
