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
Wyoming has a Presumptive Disabilities which addresses the occupational diseases of firefighters. Consult with your fire department’s risk manager for assistance.
Legislation: Wyoming Presumptive Law: W.S. 27-15-101 through 27-15-103)
Contact:
State of Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Division of Workers’ Compensation
1510 E. Pershing Blvd., 1st Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7441
Fax: (307) 777-6552
Website: www.wyomingworkforce.org
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
There is no state-wide one-time death benefit. Individual counties or local jurisdictions may offer support. Contact your department’s benefit officer for assistance on this and all benefits.
COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES
The Wyoming Presumptive Law, passed and signed into law in 2017, has greatly expanded the coverage that allows the State of Wyoming to provide the needed assistance to Wyoming’s firefighting community and their families. A firefighter who suffers from a listed disease is presumed to have developed that listed disease during the course and scope of employment. The listed disease is presumed to be an occupational disease, the dominate cause of which is the employment as a firefighter, unless the contrary is proven.
When working with agencies to apply for benefits, make sure the benefit officers are aware of the presumptive legislation if it applies. For instance, workers’ compensation and duty-related retirement claims.
Law also covers cardiovascular disease, among other acquired diseases.
Contact:
State of Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Division of Workers’ Compensation
5221 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-6763
Fax: (307) 777-5298
Website: www.wyomingworkforce.org
Reference: Wyoming Presumptive Law W.S. 27-15-101 through 27-15-103
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Contact: State of Wyoming Department of Workforce Services Division of Workers’ Compensation 5221 Yellowstone Road Cheyenne, WY 82002 Phone: (307) 777-6763 Fax: (307) 777-5298 Website: www.wyomingworkforce.org
Resource: What You Need to Know Regarding Your ClaimFUNERAL BENEFIT
Maximum of $5,000 for burial expenses, plus an additional $5,000 to cover other related expenses.
Contact:
State of Wyoming Department of Workforce Services
Division of Workers’ Compensation
1510 E. Pershing Blvd., 1st Floor
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7441
Fax: (307) 777-6552
Website: www.wyomingworkforce.org
Reference: What You Need to Know Regarding Your Claim
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Volunteer firefighters (Volunteer Firemen’s Pension Fund)
Must have been a member of the Fund prior to death. The surviving spouse receives a monthly lifetime payment based on the age at the time the member entered the pension plan.
Career firefighters (Firemen’s Pension Fund Act)
Plan A: For firefighters employed prior to July 1, 1981, death benefit to the surviving spouse or children is 100% of the monthly benefit payable to the firefighter. If no spouse or children, dependent parents may receive the full benefit.
Plan B: For firefighters employed after July 1, 1981, death benefit is a monthly pension of either 50% of the final average salary or the service pension, based on credited service accrued to the date of the member’s death, whichever is greater. The monthly survivor’s pension is payable to the eligible primary survivor.
Contact:
Wyoming Retirement System
Fifth Floor West
6101 Yellowstone Road
Cheyenne, WY 82002
Phone: (307) 777-7691
Website: www.retirement.wyo.gov
Resource: Fireman’s Pension Fund Plan Benefits
Resource: Retiree Survivor Information
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Surviving dependents receive free tuition from the University of Wyoming for up to eight semesters and free tuition from Wyoming community colleges for up to six semesters. If a dependent attends a community college and transfers to the University of Wyoming, the dependent will receive free tuition for a total of ten semesters.
Benefit is available to surviving dependents of volunteer and career firefighters who died while acting within the scope of their duties. Surviving dependent must have been under 18 years old at the time of the firefighter’s death to qualify for the benefit.
Contact:
University of Wyoming
Office of Financial Aid
1000 E. University Avenue, Dept. 3335
Knight Hall, Room 174
Laramie, WY
Phone: (307) 766-2116
Fax: (307) 766-3800
Website: www.uwyo.edu
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
None.
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
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.
