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| Alabama |
There is a benefit of $50,000 if the death is accidental, deliberate, or a result of injuries received in the performance of duties. Delayed death (up to 10 years) also qualifies for the benefit. The application must be filed within a year from date of death.
Volunteers are also eligible for total disability compensation of $50,000.
Contact: State Department of Finance, Alabama State Capitol. 600 Dexter Avenue-Suite N-105, Montgomery, AL 36130. Phone: (334) 242-7160. |
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| Alaska |
None. |
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| Arizona |
None. |
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| Arkansas |
Benefit is up to $100,000. Survivors are awarded $25,000 for deaths related to official duties and an additional $75,000 if the firefighter is killed in an incident related to responding, engaging in, or returning from a fire. Full payment is given only to a spouse and/or children under age of 22. A lesser amount is awarded to parents if there is no surviving spouse or children. Additional benefits are paid in three annual installments. This benefit also covers State Forestry and Arkansas Fire Training Academy employees, as well as firefighters at Camp Robinson and Fort Chaffee.
Contact: State Claims Commission. 101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410, Little Rock, AR 72201. Phone: (501) 682-1619.
Members of the Arkansas State Firefighters Association can receive a death benefit of $1,000. If a member for 3 consecutive years, the benefit would increase to $2,000. |
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| California |
None. |
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| Colorado |
None. |
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| Connecticut |
None. |
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| Delaware |
For deaths arising out of and in the course of assigned duties or while traveling to or returning from an alarm or call, the state pays designated beneficiary $150,000 in annual installments. No single annual payment shall exceed $30,000.
Contact: Delaware Department of Insurance Commission. 841 Silver Lake Boulevard, Dover, DE 19904. Phone: (302) 647-7300. |
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| Florida |
There is a basic benefit of $50,000 for accidental death, plus an additional benefit of $50,000 if death occurs during emergency response. If a firefighter is unlawfully and intentionally killed, dies as a result of a fire determined to be an act of arson, or subsequently dies as a result of injuries sustained in either of these types of incidents, the total benefit is $150,000.
Contact: Florida State Fire Marshal. 200 East Gaines St., Tallahassee, FL 32399-0340. Phone: (850) 413-3170. |
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| Georgia |
The designated beneficiary or estate receives $75,000 in equal installments over five years or in one lump sum of $56,044. Application is due within 12 months of incident.
Contact: Georgia Indemnification Commission, Dept. of Administrative Services. Floyd Contract Station, PO Box 30334-4437, Atlanta, GA 30334-0118. Phone: (404) 657-4437. |
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| Hawaii |
None. |
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| Idaho |
None. |
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| Illinois |
Survivors are eligible for benefit when death results from injury received in the active performance of duties. Increased to $259,038 for deaths between July 1, 2002, and December 31, 2002. For deaths on or after January 1, 2003, the amount shall be the rate for the previous calendar year plus the percentage increase in the Consumer Price Index. Death must occur within one year from the date the injury was received and the injury must result from violence or other accidental cause. Covers firefighters employed by the state or local government and volunteer firefighters, as well as officially designated fire department chaplains. Payments made to designated beneficiary. If no beneficiary is designated, entire sum paid to spouse. If no surviving spouse, payment made to surviving children in equal parts. Parents receive benefit if no surviving spouse or children.
Contact: Court of Claims. 630 South College Street, Springfield, IL 62756. Phone: (217) 782-0111 or Attorney General, Court of Claims Div. Phone: (312) 814-6125. |
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| Indiana |
$150,000 line-of-duty death benefit to surviving spouse or surviving children. Death must have occurred as a direct result of personal injury or illness resulting from any action that a public safety officer is obligated or authorized to perform. An additional death benefit of $9,000 is paid to the heirs of PERF members.
Contact: Public Employees' Retirement Fund (PERF). Harrison Building-Suite 800, 143 West Market St., Indianapolis, IN 46204-2899. Phone: (317) 233-4162 or (888) 526-1687. www.in.gov/perf. |
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| Iowa |
The State of Iowa has a $100,000 death benefit for all firefighters. This does include heart attack and stroke presumption. |
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| Kansas |
None. |
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| Kentucky |
$75,000 awarded for line-of-duty death of any volunteer or paid firefighter. Spouse receives the lump sum if there are no surviving children. If spouse and children survive, amount apportioned equally among all. If no surviving spouse, payment is made to children age 18 or older. If under age 18, children receive $30,000 with $45,000 held in trust and divided into equal accounts until children reach age 18. If no surviving spouse or children, payment shall be made to parents of the deceased. Includes deaths resulting from heart or circulatory malfunction when the symptoms are first medically-treated within 48 hours after participation in the performance of duties or the result of illness, sickness, or injury caused by the performance of duties within 12 months. Certain medical restrictions apply.
Contact: Kentucky Fire Commission. 300 North Main Street, Post Office Box 14092, Versailles, KY 40383. Phone: (800) 782-6823. www.kctcs.net/kyfirecommission |
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| Louisiana |
This benefit covers firefighters who died as a result of an injury arising out of and in the course of performance of official duties or arising out of any activity on or off duty in the capacity of a firefighter. Benefit of $50,000 to spouse and $25,000 for each child. Unmarried children are eligible until age 18, age 23 if full-time student, or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support.
The Louisiana State Firemen's Association also provides a $15,000 death benefit for members who lose their lives in the line of duty.
Contact: Louisiana Department of Justice, Attorney General's Office. PO Box 94005, 300 Capitol Dr. 25th Floor, Baton Rouge, LA 70804-9005. Phone: (225) 342-7013. |
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| Maine |
There is a benefit of $50,000 if the State Fire Marshal determines the firefighter died in the line of duty. If there is no surviving child, the surviving spouse receives total benefit. If there are both a surviving spouse and children, 50% goes to the spouse and the other 50% to the child or children in equal shares. If there is no surviving child or spouse, the benefit goes to the parents in equal shares.
Contact: Office of the State Fire Marshal. 52 State House Station, Augusta, ME 04333. Phone: (207)287-3473. |
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| Maryland |
In recent years, the benefit has been increased to $125,000, which is adjusted annually based on the Consumer Price Index. Benefit is provided when the firefighter dies in the performance of duties. The benefit paid is in addition to any from workers' compensation and life insurance.
Contact: Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services. Suite 1000, 300 East Joppa Rd., Towson, MD 21286-3020. Phone: (410) 339-5000 or (877) 379-8636. www.dpscs.state.md.us. |
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| Massachusetts |
The State pays a $100,000 death benefit to the survivors/estate of a firefighter who dies in the line of duty. Cities, towns and districts are required to provide to the surviving spouse (if any) and/or surviving minor children ( if any) a $500,000 lump sum death benefit or a survivor’s annuity of between 2/3rds, and 100% of the local compensation for a career firefighter.
Contact: State Board of Retirement. Room 1219, One Ashburton Place, Boston, MA 02108-1607. Phone: (617) 367-7770 or (800) 392-6014. |
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| Michigan |
None. |
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| Minnesota |
As of 2001, $110,692 is paid out to spouse or spouse and dependent children. If no spouse or dependent children, payment goes to dependent parents. The benefit is adjusted annually based on the consumer price index.
Contact: Office of the Commissioner, Minnesota Department of Public Safety. Town Square, 444 Cedar Street, St. Paul, MN 55101. Phone: (651) 201-7000 or (800) 342-5354. |
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| Mississippi |
A benefit of $65,000 is available for survivors when a firefighter, while engaged in the performance of official duties, is accidentally or intentionally killed or receives injuries that result in loss of life. Payment is made to the beneficiary who was designated in writing by the covered individual. If no such designation was made, the payment shall be made to the surviving children and spouse in equal portions. If no spouse or children, then payment to the parent or parents. This payment is in addition to any workers' compensation or pension benefits and is exempt from any claims of creditors of the covered individual.
Contact: Mississippi Department of Public Safety. Post Office Box 958, Jackson, MS 39205. Phone: (601) 987-1212. www.dps.state.ms.us |
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| Missouri |
None. |
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| Montana |
Survivor receives $25,000.
Contact: Public Employee's Retirement System (PERS). 1712 Ninth Avenue, P. O. Box 200131, Helena, MT 59620-0131. Phone: (406) 444-3154 or (800) ASK-PERB. |
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| Nebraska |
None. |
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| Nevada |
None. |
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| New Hampshire |
None. |
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| New Jersey |
None. |
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| New Mexico |
None. |
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| New York |
A lump sum benefit of $56,000 is paid to the surviving spouse, or the estate if there is no surviving spouse.
A Line of Duty Death deviates significantly from Workmen's Compensation law and specifies, deaths that occurred on or after July 1, 1992, the surviving spouse with no dependent children is paid a weekly benefit of $887.
Surviving spouse with dependent children - receives smaller weekly benefit while children also receive weekly benefit. Children may continue to collect benefits under a variety of conditions.
Remarriage of Surviving Spouse - receives a lump sum of $92,219.
Remarriage of Surviving Spouse with Dependent Children - receives lump sum benefit of $50,720 and dependent children continue to receive weekly benefit at varying levels under varying conditions.
Contact: New York State Workers' Compensation Board. 20 Park Street, Albany, NY 12207. Phone: (877) 632-4996. www.wcb.state.ny.us. |
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| North Carolina |
The "State In Line of Duty Benefit" consists of $50,000 in four increments. Benefits are paid to surviving spouse. If there is no surviving spouse, benefit is divided among surviving dependent children. If there are no qualifying family members, benefit is paid in lump sum to the estate. If the spouse remarries, benefits are transferred to the next eligible survivor. The firefighter's death must have been the result of bodily injuries, extreme exercise, or extreme activity experienced in the course and scope of official duties. Line-of-duty death includes myocardial infarction while on duty or within 24 hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation. There also exists a Federal Public Safety Officers' death benefit, which provides $295,194 as of October 2006. The Provident Accident and Sickness Association AD & D provides a $5,000 non-line of duty death benefit.
Contact: North Carolina Industrial Commission, Workers' Compensation. 4340 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, NC 27699-4340. Phone: (919) 807-2500. www.comp.state.nc.us. |
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| North Dakota |
A death benefit of $10,000 is payable through the State Insurance Department. |
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| Ohio |
Survivors are eligible for benefits under the Ohio Volunteer Fire Fighters' Dependents Fund if the volunteer dies while discharging duties or from exposure or injury received while discharging duties. The spouse receives a lump sum of $1,000 plus $300 per month. Benefits cease upon remarriage. Each child receives a monthly benefit of $125 until age 18 or age 23 if the child is attending a post-secondary educational institution.
Contact: Division of State Fire Marshal, Department of Commerce. 8895 East Main Street, Reynoldsburg, OH 43068. Phone: (614) 752-8200. websfm@com.state.oh.us.
A $1,000.00 line of duty death benefit is paid by the Ohio State Firefighters Association to the beneficiary of any OSFA member killed in the line of duty. The benefit will be paid within 24 hours of the OSFA being notified of a line of duty death of a member.
Contact:
Rodger Sansom
OSFA Secretary / Treasurer
P. O. Box 400
Mogadore, OH 44260-0400
Phone: 1-800-825-OSFA
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| Oklahoma |
The spouse receives a lump sum of $100,000. Additional $25,000 per child with a maximum of $150,000 divided equally.
Contact: Workers' Compensation Court. 8776. North Stiles Avenue, Oklahoma City, OK 73105. Phone: (405) 522-8776 or (405) 522-8600. www.owcc.state.ok.us. |
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| Oregon |
The Public Safety Memorial Fund provides benefits of up to $25,000. It may also award the spouse an amount up to the equivalent of 12 monthly mortgage payments if he or she holds no mortgage insurance.
Contact: Oregon Department of Public Safety Standards and Training. 4190 Aumsville Highway, Salem, OR 97317. www.oregon.gov/DPSST/index.html.
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| Pennsylvania |
The benefit amount for fiscal year 2007-2008 is $105,985.. The benefit amount is adjusted annually on July 1. If there is no spouse, then payment goes to children under age 21; if there are no children, then to parents. Benefit covers deaths that occurred as a result of the performance of duties.
Contact: Department of General Services, Bureau of Risk and Insurance Management, Room 406, Harrisburg, PA 17125. Phone: (717) 787-2492. |
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| Rhode Island |
The benefit is equal to 40% of amount provided by the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. The state benefit provided is currently $104,840 and is adjusted annually. The firefighter must have died from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duties. Beneficiaries include the surviving spouse and, if there is no surviving spouse, the child or children of the firefighter. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the parents are eligible, if they were at least 50 percent financially dependent on the firefighter.
Contact: Department of Labor and Training, Police & Fire Relief Fund. 1511 Pontiac Avenue, Cranston, RI 02920. Phone: (401) 462-8855. |
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| South Carolina |
None. |
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| South Dakota |
None. |
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| Tennessee |
There is a $25,000 death benefit for state emergency workers. |
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| Texas |
Effective September 1, 2001, $250,000 lump sum payment to eligible spouse if firefighter died in performance of duty and from exposure to a risk. If there is no spouse, payment is given in equal shares to children. New legislation includes children with no limit on age. If there is no eligible surviving spouse or children, payment is given to parents in equal shares.
Contact: Texas Employee Retirement System. PO Box 13207, Austin, TX 78711-3207. Phone: (512) 867-7711, Toll free: (877) 275-4377. FAx: (512) 867-7438. www.ers.state.tx.us. |
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| Utah |
None. |
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| Vermont |
Effective for deaths occurring on or after July 1, 2002, the benefit is $50,000 for the survivors of a firefighter who dies in the line of duty or from an occupation-related illness. Line of duty includes answering or returning from a call for a fire or emergency or training drill. Occupational-related illness means a disease that directly arises out of, and in the course of, service. This includes a heart injury or disease symptomatic within 72 hours from the date of last service in the line of duty. This legislation covers firefighters who are members of state, municipal, or county fire departments or privately-organized fire departments. Survivors must apply to the Firefighters' Survivors Benefit Review Board for the monetary award. If the Board decides to award a monetary benefit, it shall be paid to the surviving spouse, or if there is no spouse at the time of death, to the surviving child, or equally among surviving children. Natural or legally adopted children are eligible, regardless of age. If there is no spouse or children, the natural or adoptive parent or parents shall receive the benefit.
Contact: Office of the State Treasurer. 109 State Street, Montpelier, VT 05609. Phone: (802) 828-2301. |
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| Virginia |
$75,000 is paid to the beneficiary if death occurred as a direct or proximate result of performance of duty. If death was caused by a respiratory disease, hypertension, heart disease, or some forms of cancer, it may be presumed to be duty-related if it occurs out of or in the course of employment or within five years after retirement. In these cases, the beneficiary shall be entitled to receive the sum of $25,000.
Contact: Office of the Comptroller. Department of Accounts, The James Madison Building, 101 N. 14th Street, 2nd Floor, PO Box 1971, Richmond, VA 23218-1971. Phone: (804) 225-3038. |
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| Washington |
As of fiscal year 2003, the benefit amount is $152,000 for all public jurisdiction firefighters killed as a result of injuries received or sickness contracted in the performance of duties. Line-of-duty death amount is subject to annual cost-of-living adjustment.
The Washington State Fire Fighters Association offers a $1,000 line of duty death benefit to its members along with a $2,500 Accidental Death and Dismemberment policy.
Contact: State Board for Volunteer Fire Fighters and Reserve Officers. 605 E. 11th Avenue #112, PO Box 114, Olympia, WA 98507. Phone: (360) 753-7318 or (877) 753-7318. www.bvff.wa.gov. |
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| West Virginia |
None. |
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| Wisconsin |
Death must result from accidental injuries related to the performance of duties. The primary death benefit for volunteers is based on four times the annual earnings of full-time paid firefighters with similar experience in the nearest municipality. If that amount is greater than the set maximum, currently $200,700, the amount is reduced to the set maximum. The final benefit is 75% of that amount, but not less than $50,000. If there are more than four dependents, an additional benefit of $2,000 will be paid for each dependent in excess of four. This additional amount is not included in the set maximum.
Contact: Wisconsin Workers' Compensation. PO Box 7901, Madison, WI 53707-7901. Phone: (608) 266-1340. www.dwd.state.wi.us/wc/default.htm. |
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| Wyoming |
None. |
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