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
New Jersey workers’ compensation laws include COVID-19 associated with work-related duties. Retroactive to March 9, 2020.
New Jersey latest COVID-19 comp presumption state
Contact:
Division of Workers’ Compensation
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
Station Plaza 4
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 292-2515
Fax: (609) 984-2515
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nj.gov/labor/wc/
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
New Jersey does not have a one-time death benefit payment for firefighters. However, many fire departments or municipalities carry insurance policies for their firefighters. Check with the benefits officer in the jurisdiction of firefighter’s employment.
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Any condition or impairment of health of any member of a volunteer fire department caused by any disease of the respiratory system shall be presumed to be an occupational disease, so long as the disease first develops or manifests while the firefighter is an active member of a the fire department, the firefighter underwent a physical exam upon entry to the service which failed to disclose the presence of such a disease, and the disease develops or first manifests itself within 90 days from the event medically determined to be its cause.
Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular injuries or death arising from those injuries is presumed to be an occupational injury for all firefighters under New Jersey Workers’ Compensation law.
Reference: NJ Statutes 34:15-7.3, 34:15-43.2
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Dependents of a firefighter who dies because of a work related injury or illness may be eligible to receive death benefits. The weekly benefits payments are 70% of the weekly wage of the deceased worker, not to exceed the maximum benefit amount established annually by the Commissioner of Labor. This minimum amount allowable, so long as there is at least one person fully dependent, is 20% of the state’s average weekly wage.
The benefit amount is divided among the surviving dependents as determined by a judge after a hearing on extent of dependency. A surviving spouse and natural children who were a part of decedent’s household at the time of death are conclusively presumed to be dependents while other family members must prove their level of dependency, if any.
A surviving spouse is entitled to this benefit for the duration of their life. Other dependents shall receive this benefit for 450 weeks, after which they shall continue to receive this benefit only as long as they are considered dependent. Children who are deemed to be dependents remain so until the age of 18 years or if a full-time student, until the age of 23 years. If a child is physically or mentally disabled, he/she may be eligible for further benefits.
Any medical or hospital expenses related to the injury or sickness which caused death shall be paid for.
Contact:
Division of Workers’ Compensation
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 292-2515
Fax: (609) 984-2515
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nj.gov/labor/wc/
Reference: NJ Statutes 34:15-13
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Under New Jersey’s Workers’ Compensation laws, the cost of burial and of a funeral, not to exceed $3,500 shall be paid by the employer to the dependent or other person having paid the costs of burial.
Contact:
Division of Workers’ Compensation
New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development
1 John Fitch Plaza
P.O. Box 110
Trenton, NJ 08625
Phone: (609) 292-2515
Fax: (609) 984-2515
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.nj.gov/labor/wc/
Reference: NJ Statutes 34:15-13
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Volunteer Firefighters: The Volunteer Emergency Worker’s Survivor’s Pension (VESP) is available for the survivors of volunteer firefighters through the municipality which they served. This benefit, paid monthly, starts the January after the firefighter passes. This benefit is exempt from federal taxes.
A spouse, with or without children, shall receive $15,000 each year. Dependent children, without a surviving spouse of the deceased, shall equally split $15,000. Should the spouse remarry, the spouse’s benefit ends and $10,000 shall be split equally among any dependent children.
A child is dependent until the age of 18, or over 18 if enrolled in high school, or 24 if enrolled in college. A married child is ineligible, while a child incapable of supporting themselves is dependent for as long as the incapability lasts.
If there is no spouse or eligible dependent children, dependent parents who received at least half of their support from the volunteer firefighter during the twelve months preceding the death are eligible for $5,000.
Note that if a survivor is also eligible for a monthly pension benefit due to the volunteer firefighter’s membership in the PERS, PFRS, or SPRS on the basis of other employment, that survivor is not eligible for the VESP.
Career Firefighters: A surviving spouse shall receive an annual pension of 70% of the firefighter’s compensation over the 12 month period immediately preceding the injury which caused death. The spouse shall receive this pension for life. If the firefighter leaves no spouse, all dependent children shall equally split the same 70% pension.
If the firefighter leaves neither spouse nor dependent child, but does leave a dependent parent, that parent shall receive a pension of 25% of the firefighter’s compensation. Two dependent parents shall split 40%.
If none of the above apply, all pension contributions shall be returned to the named beneficiary or estate.
Civil union or domestic partners are eligible for the same benefits as spouses.
Contact:
New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Division of Pensions and Benefits
50 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
Phone: (609) 292-7524
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 295
Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
Reference: NJ Statutes 43:12-28.1, 43:12-28.2, 43:16A-10
Resource: NJ Police and Fire Retirement Guidebook
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Children, biological or adopted, of a fallen career or volunteer firefighter are eligible to have their tuition paid for by the State while attending any public institution of higher education of this State for an undergraduate degree. If attending any independent institution of higher education in New Jersey for an undergraduate degree, the State shall pay part of the tuition which is not more than the highest tuition charged at the public institutions of higher education in this State. All children are eligible for this benefit for 8 years following graduation from high school.
Contact:
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
4 Quakerbridge Plaza
Hamilton, NJ 08619
Phone: (609) 584-4480
Toll Free: (800) 792-8670
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.hesaa.org
Mailing Address:
PO Box 545
Trenton, NJ 08625-0540
Reference: NJ Statute 18A:71B-23
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Spouses are eligible for this program in the same manner as children, except the time restriction for them is 8 years from the death of the firefighter.
Note that this benefit in no way requires educational institutions to admit the beneficiary or allow them to continue as a student once admitted.
Contact:
Higher Education Student Assistance Authority
4 Quakerbridge Plaza
Hamilton, NJ 08619
Phone: (609) 584-4480
Toll Free: (800) 792-8670
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.hesaa.org
Mailing Address:
PO Box 545
Trenton, NJ 08625-0540
Reference: NJ Statute 18A:71B-23
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Kids’ Chance New Jersey
P.O. Box 166
Matawoman, NJ 07747
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.kidschancenj.org
Kids’ Chance of New Jersey was created to provide scholarships for college and vocational education to children of New Jersey workers who have been fatally or catastrophically injured in a work-related accident, resulting in financial need.
200 Clubs of New Jersey
There are multiple county-level 200 Clubs active in the state of New Jersey which are dedicated to supporting the families of fallen first responders. While each focuses primarily on the families in the county in which they are established, some reach across county lines. For example, the 200 Club of Union County (www.uc200club.org) awards scholarships of up to $2,000 to the children of any fallen firefighters, police officers, and other law enforcement officers for use in pursuing higher education. Check with your local fire department for information about your local 200 Club.
New Jersey State Firemen’s Association
1711 Route 34 South
Wall Township, New Jersey 07727
Phone: (732) 798-8137
Fax: (732) 938-2580
Website: www.njsfa.com
Members of the NJSFA are eligible for a burial relief benefit. The amount of this benefit depends on the length of time served.
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
For Firefighters covered by the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System, PFRS shall pay to the employer-sponsored health insurance program all health insurance premiums for the coverage of the firefighter’s surviving spouse and dependent children. Actual health benefits depend on the department’s health plan.
Contact:
New Jersey Department of the Treasury
Division of Pensions and Benefits
50 West State Street
Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
Phone: (609) 292-7524
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions/
Mailing Address:
P.O. Box 295
Trenton, NJ 08625-0295
(Reference: NJ Statute 43:16A-10)
TAX ABATEMENT
The state of New Jersey does not offer any tax abatements for the survivors of fallen firefighters.
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.
