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
Effective April 8, 2020, states certain employees who contract COVID-19 are presumed to have an occupational disease covered by the Minnesota workers’ compensation law. Generally these employees include first responders, health care workers, correctional workers and those workers required to provide child care services for the children of first responders and health care workers. See the bill language, bill summary and FAQs at www.dli.mn.gov/updates
Overview of compensable COVID-19 Claims in Minnesota
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Division
Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5032 (St. Paul)
Phone: 218-733-7810 (Duluth)
Toll Free: (800) 342-5354
E-mail: [email protected]
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
- if there is no dependent child, to the spouse;
- if there is no spouse, to the dependent child or children in equal shares;
- if there are both a spouse and one or more dependent children, one-half to the spouse and one-half to the child or children, in equal shares;
- if there is no surviving spouse or dependent child or children, to the parent or parents dependent for support on the decedent, in equal shares; or
- if there is no surviving spouse, dependent child, or dependent parent, to the public safety officer’s estate.
(b) If there are both a spouse and one or more dependent children under age 18, the spouse, at the spouse’s discretion, may spend a maximum of one-third of a child’s share on medical or dental treatment for the child or the child’s education. Expenditures under this paragraph on behalf of a child do not diminish the shares of any other children. In addition, a spouse, at the spouse’s discretion, may expend money from a child’s share to pay state and federal taxes on any interest accrued on the share.
- If there is no dependent child, to the spouse.
- If there is no spouse, to the dependent child or children in equal shares.
- If there are both a spouse and one or more dependent children, one-half to the spouse and one-half to the child or children, in equal shares.
- If there is no surviving spouse or dependent child or children, to the parent or parents dependent for support on the decedent, in equal shares.
Contact: Commissioner’s Office Minnesota Department of Public Safety 445 Minnesota Street, Suite 190 Saint Paul, MN 55101-5155 Phone: (651) 201-7000 E-mail: [email protected] Website: dps.mn.gov
Reference: 2018 Minnesota Statutes, Section 299A.44 Resource: Minnesota Public Officer Benefit ProgramsCOMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
A firefighter on active duty who is unable to perform duties in the department by reason of a disabling cancer of a type caused by exposure to heat, radiation, or a known or suspected carcinogen, as defined by the International Agency for Research on Cancer, and the carcinogen is reasonably linked to the disabling cancer, is presumed to have an occupational disease. This does not apply if a firefighter’s physical examination upon entry to the service discloses such a cancer.
Myocarditis, coronary sclerosis, pneumonia, and infectious or communicable diseases (if the firefighter provides emergency medical care) are also considered an occupational disease for firefighters.
The compensation for an occupational disease is 66-2/3% of the employee’s weekly wage on the date of injury subject to a maximum compensation equal to the maximum compensation in effect on the date of last exposure.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Division
Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5005 (St. Paul)
Toll Free: (800) 342-5354
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.dli.mn.gov
Reference: 2018 Minnesota Statutes, Sections 176.011, 176.66
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
A spouse with no dependent children is entitled to a weekly payment equal to 50% of the weekly wage at the time of the injury for a period of 10 years.
A spouse and one dependent child are entitled to a weekly payment equal to 60% of the weekly wage at the time of the injury until the child is no longer a dependent. After that, for a period of 10 years the spouse is entitled a weekly payment 16-2/3% less than the final weekly workers’ compensation benefit payment while the child was a dependent.
A spouse and one dependent child are entitled to a weekly payment equal to 66-2/3% of the weekly wage at the time of the injury until the last child is no longer a dependent. After that, for a period of 10 years the spouse is entitled a weekly payment 25% less than the final weekly workers’ compensation benefit payment while the child was a dependent.
If the deceased employee leaves a dependent orphan, there shall be paid 55% of the weekly wage. For two or more orphans there shall be paid 66-2/3%.
If the deceased leaves no surviving spouse or child entitled to payment but leaves both parents wholly dependent on the deceased, the parents shall be paid 45% of the weekly wage. In case of the death of either of the wholly dependent parents, or if the deceased leaves only one dependent parent, the survivor shall receive 35% of the weekly wage thereafter. If the deceased leaves one grandparent, grandchild, brother, sister, mother-in-law, or father-in-law wholly dependent, there shall be paid 30% of the weekly wage. If two or more, 35%, divided equally among them.
Remarriage has no effect on the spouse’s eligibility to receive these payments.
The minimum amount of dependency compensation that must be paid is $60,000.
As a Cost of Living Adjustment, these payments shall be increased by 0 to 3% annually on the date of injury causing death, starting 3 years after the injury that caused death.
The combined total of weekly government survivor benefits and workers’ compensation death benefits provided shall not exceed 100% of the weekly wage being earned by the deceased at the time of the injury causing death. If weekly government survivor benefits alone exceed 100% of the weekly wage no state workers’ compensation death benefit shall be paid while the weekly government survivor benefits remain unchanged.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Division
Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5005 (St. Paul)
Toll Free: (800) 342-5354
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.dli.mn.gov
Reference: 2018 Minnesota Statutes, Sections 176.011, 176.66
CONTINUING HEALTH CARE COVERAGE
Minnesota Statute §299A.465 provides continued health insurance coverage for peace officers and firefighters disabled/killed in the line of duty who meet the eligibility criteria.
Effective July 1, 2008, to be eligible for continued health insurance coverage from their employer, the disabled officer or firefighter must receive a duty disability from their retirement association. Per Minnesota Statute §299A.465, subd. 1 (d), the employer is responsible for the continued payment of the employer’s contribution for coverage of the disabled officer or firefighter, and if applicable, the disabled officer’s or firefighter’s dependents. Coverage must continue for the disabled officer or firefighter and, if applicable, the disabled officer’s or firefighter’s dependents until the disabled officer or firefighter reaches, or if deceased, would have reached the age of 65. However, coverage for dependents is not continued after the person is no longer a dependent.
Contact: This is an employer obligation; check with the decedent’s organization.
Resource: Public Safety Officers Continued Healthcare Benefits
Reference: 2022 Minnesota Statutes
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Both paid and volunteer firefighters are entitled to have their burial expenses paid for by their employer, up to $15,000.
Contact:
Workers’ Compensation Division
Department of Labor and Industry
443 Lafayette Road North
St. Paul, MN 55155
Phone: (651) 284-5032 (St. Paul)
Phone: 218-733-7810 (Duluth)
Toll Free: (800) 342-5354
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.dli.mn.gov
Reference: 2020 Minnesota Statutes, Section 176.111, subd. 18
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Call/Volunteer Firefighters:
Under the “Statewide Volunteer Firefighter Retirement Plan”, any municipality or independent nonprofit firefighting corporation may elect to have its volunteer firefighters covered by either a lump-sum retirement scheme or a monthly benefit retirement scheme. Please contact your local municipal government or fire department for the specifics of the pension plan, and PERA for questions on how this pension is calculated and administered.
Career Firefighters:
All career firefighters in Minnesota are covered under the “Police & Fire Plan” policy. Based on the firefighter’s age, presence of child dependents, vested status, and length of service, the family of the fallen firefighter is entitled to 60-80% of the firefighter’s average full-time monthly base salary rate in effect during the last six months of service.
Contact:
Public Employees Retirement Association
Police and Fire Plan
60 Empire Drive, Suite 200
St. Paul, MN 55103-2088
Phone: (651) 296-7460
Toll Free: (800) 652-9026
Fax: (651) 297-2547
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.mnpera.org
Reference: 2020 Minnesota Statutes, Sections 353.657, 424A.016
Resource: Police and Fire Plan Handbook
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Minnesota offers the “Public Safety Officer’s Survivor Grant Program” to the survivors of fallen firefighters. The amount offered in this grant is the lesser of the average tuition and fees charged by the specific institution of higher education, or the tuition maximums established by law for the state grant program.
As of November 2018, the “tuition maximums established by law” are roughly $7,000/semester for 4-year or graduate programs and $3,000/semester for 2-year or less programs.
This education benefit can be used toward an undergraduate degree, graduate degree, or certificate program, but can only be used for 8 semesters or the equivalent. This grant can be used at any private or public Minnesota institution eligible for state student aid.
Eligible children are dependent children under the age of 23, and dependent children under the age of 30 that have served on active military duty 181 consecutive days or more and have been honorably discharged.
Contact:
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Phone: (651) 642-0567
Toll Free: (800) 657-3866
Fax: (651) 642-0675
Website: www.ohe.state.mn.us
Resource: Public Safety Officer’s Survivor Grant
Reference: 2020 Minnesota Statutes, Section 136A.103, 136A.121, 299A.45
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Education benefits for a spouse are identical to those available to a child.
Contact:
Minnesota Office of Higher Education
1450 Energy Park Drive, Suite 350
St. Paul, MN 55108-5227
Phone: (651) 642-0567
Toll Free: (800) 657-3866
Fax: (651) 642-0675
Website: www.ohe.state.mn.us
Resource: Public Safety Officer’s Survivor Grant
Reference: 2020 Minnesota Statutes, Section 136A.103, 136A.121, 299A.45
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Volunteer Firefighters’ Benefit Association of Minnesota
Steven Spaeth, Secretary PO Box 822 Detroit Lakes, MN 56502 Phone: (218) 850-3101 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.vfbaofmn.com This website has not been updated. Here are the state benefits set aside for volunteers. (Reference: 2018 Minnesota Statutes, Section 424A.10) Minnesota 100 Club P.O. Box 18784 Minneapolis, MN 55418 Phone: (320) 274-8228 E-mail: [email protected] Website: minnesota100club.com The Minnesota Hundred Club provides financial support of up to $17,500 for the families of fallen firefighters.Wills for Heroes Minnesota State Bar Association
Third Floor City Center 600 Nicollet Mall, Suite 380 Minneapolis, MN 55402 Phone: (612) 672-3493 Website: www.mnbar.org Wills for Heroes is a program which provides attorneys to assist spouses of fallen firefighters in preparing wills, health care directives, and other estate planning documents at no charge. This benefit is also available to living firefighters and other public safety officers.Minnesota Fire Service Foundation
18 N. 12th St Suite 50003 Minneapolis, MN 55405 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.mnfireservicefoundation.org The Minnesota Fire Service Foundation offers at least one scholarship yearly for a spouse of child of a fallen firefighter. This scholarship is $1,000 to be used toward post-secondary (High School) 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.HEALTH INSURANCE
If the spouse and any dependents were receiving, or were eligible to receive, or later become eligible to receive, coverage under the employee’s group health plan, the fallen firefighter’s employer is responsible for the employer’s contribution for the coverage of the firefighter’s spouse and dependents for the continuation of their coverage. The spouse is eligible to continue these benefits until the age of 65, while most dependents are eligible to continue these benefits until the age of 26.
If the deceased is a volunteer firefighter for a department that did not offer a group health insurance policy to which a volunteer firefighter was eligible to subscribe, The municipality that operates the fire department shall, provide health insurance coverage for the volunteer firefighter’s dependents that is equivalent to the average benefit provided by the municipality to dependents of its employees who are covered by the plan. If the municipality does not offer a group health insurance plan for any employees, it shall reimburse the dependents for a minimum of 50% of the cost of health insurance premiums for coverage selected by the dependents. The same age limits as above apply here.
These are the minimum benefits required by law – specific employers may offer greater benefits.
Health insurance benefits payable to the firefighter’s dependents from any other source provide the primary coverage, and coverage available as described here is secondary.
Contact:
Commissioner’s Office
Minnesota Department of Public Safety
445 Minnesota Street
Saint Paul, MN 55101-5155
Phone: (651) 201-7160
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: dps.mn.gov
Reference: 2018 Minnesota Statutes, Section 299A.465
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.
