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
Oregon does provide compensation for death or disability of firefighters from occupational diseases.
State Of Oregon Workers’ Compensation Covid-19 Quick Guide
Oregon OSHA proposes permanent rule addressing COVID-19 in all workplaces
Contact:
Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division
350 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR 97309-0405
Phone: (503) 947-7840
Fax: (503) 947-7630
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.wcd.oregon.gov
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Contact: Public Safety Memorial Fund Board Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Phone: (503) 378-2100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.oregon.gov
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Sections 243.005, 243.956
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
Contact: Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division 350 Winter Street NE Salem, OR 97309-0405 Phone: (503) 947-7840 Fax: (503) 947-7630 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wcd.oregon.gov
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 656.802
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Note that firefighters working in cities that provide a disability and retirement system and have a population of over 200,000 are not covered by workers’ compensation. As of 2017, this only applies to the city of Portland. See the Retirement/Pension Plan section for details.
Effective 1 July 2018 through 30 June 2019, the State Average Weekly Wage used to compute workers’ compensation benefits is $1,007.05.
The monthly benefit for a surviving spouse or domestic partner is 4.35 times 66 and 2/3 percent of the SAWW, or $2,920.59 per month through 30 June 2019. This payment shall cease at the end of the month in which the remarriage occurs. Upon remarriage, a surviving spouse must be paid 36 times the monthly benefit in a lump sum.
The monthly benefit to each child of under 19 years of age, or who is 19 to 26 years of age with a surviving parent and completing secondary education, obtaining a general educational development certificate (GED), or attending a program of higher education is 4.35 times 25 percent of the SAWW, or $1,095.17 per month through 30 June 2019. Children between 19 and 26 without a surviving parent that are in school as mentioned above shall receive 4.35 times 66 and 2/3 percent of the SAWW, or $2,920.59 per month through 30 June 2019. Children between 19 and 26 shall only receive this benefit while actually enrolled full time and for a maximum of 48 months (4 years).
The total benefits provided for a spouse and dependent children may not exceed 4.35 times 133-1/3 percent of the SAWW, or $5,840.74 per month through 30 June 2019. If the sum of the individual benefits exceeds this maximum, the benefit for each child must be reduced proportionally.
If a worker leaves any other dependents, they shall each receive a monthly payment equal to 50 percent of the average monthly support the dependent actually received from the firefighter during the 12 months preceding their death. Payments to a dependent cease when that dependent turns 19, or such a time that the dependency would have terminated had the firefighter not died. The total benefits provided for other dependents may not exceed 4.35 times 10 percent of the average weekly wage, or $438.07 per month through 30 June 2019. If the sum of the individual benefits exceeds this maximum, the benefit for each dependent must be reduced proportionally.
Payments to an invalid child or other dependent continue so long as they remain an invalid.
Contact:
Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division
350 Winter Street NE
Salem, OR 97309-0405
Phone: (503) 947-7840
Fax: (503) 947-7630
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.wcd.oregon.gov
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 656.204
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Contact: Oregon Workers’ Compensation Division 350 Winter Street NE Salem, OR 97309-0405 Phone: (503) 947-7840 Fax: (503) 947-7630 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.wcd.oregon.gov
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 656.204
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Call/Volunteer Firefighters:
Fire districts and cities in Oregon with volunteer departments have the option of joining the Oregon Length of Service Award Program (LOSAP). Specifics of the Program are determined by the district or city.
Contact:
Oregon Fire District Directors Association
1284 Court Street
Salem, OR 97301
Phone: (503) 378-0896
Toll Free: (800) 223-9708
Fax: (503) 364-9919
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: ofdda.com
Career Firefighters:
Pension benefits vary due to length of service, service start date, and enrollment in the Public Employees Retirement System and/or the Public Safety Retirement System.
Contact:
Oregon Public Employees Retirement System
11410 SW 68th Parkway
Tigard, OR 97223
Phone: (888) 320-7377
Contact: Contact Us
Website: www.oregon.gov/pers/
For firefighters covered under the Portland Fire & Police Disability & Retirement plan, the surviving spouse or dependent children are eligible for a pension of 75 percent of the firefighter’s base pay until the date the firefighter would be eligible to retire, then 50 percent of the firefighter’s final pay after that. This may vary based on when the firefighter joined the FPDR; contact the FPDR for more details.
Contact:
Fire & Police Disability & Retirement
1800 SW First Ave, Room 450
Portland, OR 97201
Phone: (503) 823-6823
Fax: (503) 823-5166
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.portlandoregon.gov
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Contact: Public Memorial Fund Board Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Phone: (503) 378-2100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.oregon.gov
The Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant is available to the children of career firefighters. Children must be under the age of 25 and not have previously achieved a baccalaureate or higher degree. The award amount shall be equal to the amount of tuition and all standard fees, reduced by any amounts received in state and federal aid grants, up to a maximum of $13,000 per academic year. Students can renew this scholarship yearly, for up to 4 academic years or until they turn 25. This scholarship must be used at a 2 or 4 year college in the state of Oregon.
Contact: Office of Student Access & Completion 3225 25th Street Salem, OR 97302 Phone: (541) 687-7400 Fax: (541) 687-7414 Contact: Contact Us Website: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Sections 243.956, 348.270
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Contact: Public Memorial Fund Board Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Phone: (503) 378-2100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.oregon.gov
The Deceased or Disabled Public Safety Officer Grant is available to the children of career firefighters. Children must be under the age of 25 and not have previously achieved a baccalaureate or higher degree. The award amount shall be equal to the amount of tuition and all standard fees, reduced by any amounts received in state and federal aid grants, up to a maximum of $13,000 per academic year. Students can renew this scholarship yearly, for up to 4 academic years or until they turn 25. This scholarship must be used at a 2 or 4 year college in the state of Oregon.
Contact: Office of Student Access & Completion 3225 25th Street Salem, OR 97302 Phone: (541) 687-7400 Fax: (541) 687-7414 Contact: Contact Us Website: www.oregonstudentaid.gov
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Sections 243.956, 348.270
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
Kids’ Chance of Oregon
Attn: Scholarship Committee P.O. Box 1728 Lake Oswego, Oregon 97035 Phone: (503) 323-2812 E-mail: [email protected] Website: kidschanceoforegon.com Kids’ Chance of Oregon offers scholarships to students with a parent who has been seriously or fatally injured in a workplace accident in the state of Oregon. The applicant must be aged 16-25. Applicant must be enrolled, accepted or applying for acceptance at a full-time or part-time student at a university, college or technical school or Oregon registered apprentice program. The scholarships vary in amount based on demonstrated need and available funds.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
Contact: Public Safety Memorial Fund Board Department of Public Safety Standards and Training 4190 Aumsville Highway SE Salem, OR 97317 Phone: (503) 378-2100 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.oregon.gov
TAX ABATEMENT
Oregon state law allows for counties to provide that up to $250,000 of assessed value of a surviving spouse’s homestead located in the county shall be exempt from ad valorem property taxes imposed by all taxing jurisdictions on the homestead. Surviving spouses of paid or volunteer firefighters are eligible for this benefit so long as they remain unmarried. Check with your county government to see if this benefit has been adopted. See Tax Form OR-E-310675 for full information about the benefit should it have been adopted in your county.
Reference: Oregon Revised Statutes, Section 307.295
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.
