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On June 24, 1976, the Governor
signed an act providing for the payment of death benefits to surviving
spouse, children, parent or parents of fire fighters, ambulance service or
rescue squad members or law enforcement officers killed in the performance
of their duties. The Act has been amended twice since 1976. The most
profound amendment came in December 1994.
The Emergency and Law Enforcement Personnel Death Benefit Act, amended in
1994, increased the death benefit to $50,000. It has an escalator clause
tied to the Consumer Price Index, which increases every July1. Also among
the 1994 amended changes made, was the “killed” definition. The new
language states, “This act shall be broadly construed to grant benefits to
fire fighters, ambulance service or rescue squad members or law
enforcement officers for deaths related to the performance of their
duties.” As of July 1, 1999 the benefit is $56,205.
The Act includes paying the benefit out of the General Fund to the
surviving spouse, or, if there is no surviving spouse, the minor children
of the emergency and law enforcement personnel. When no spouse or minor
children survive, the benefit shall be paid to the parent(s). The benefit
is payable whether or not the officer was killed within the Commonwealth.
For eligible claims, the Commonwealth will pay the Political Sub-Division
prior to payment to the survivor(s). If there is no surviving spouse or
minor children, benefits are payable to the surviving parents. To
determine the parental relationship, the officer’s Birth Certificate is
required. A certified copy of the Birth Certificate should be submitted.
If one of the parents is deceased, a certified copy of the Death
Certificate should be submitted.
If the cause of death was medical, i.e. heart attack, stroke, a notarized
statement from the fire chief or commander must be provided to prove that
the deceased was a member of the emergency service. This statement should
include the date the deceased joined and if He/she participated in the
activities on a regular basis since joining. If a mutual aid situation is
involved, a copy of the mutual aid agreement should be submitted.
For more information contact:
Office of Administration—Personnel
or Pennsylvania Fire Services Institute
Group Life Insurance 223
State Street
402D Finance Bldg.
Harrisburg, PA 17101
Harrisburg, PA 17120
(717) 236-5995
(717)
705-5693 Fax
(717) 236-5996
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