VIRGINIA SURVIVOR BENEFITS

 

ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFIT

 

$100,000 to beneficiary if death occurred as a direct or proximate result of performance of duty. Effective as of January 1, 2006 per the state code and applicable to both career and volunteer firefighters.

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.

 

Office of the Comptroller
Department of Accounts
P.O. Box 1971 (Mailing Address)
Richmond, VA 23218-1971
Phone: (804) 225-3038
Fax: (804) 371-8587
Website: www.doa.va.gov
E-mail: compt@doa.virginia.gov

 

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

 

Benefit is 66 2/3% of employee’s average weekly wage. Minimum and maximum amounts apply and are adjusted annually. Benefits continue for a period of 500 weeks from the date of injury and are divided equally among total dependents. Dependents include surviving spouse and children under age 18, under age 23 if a full-time student, or longer if disabled. Stepchildren are eligible for benefits. Upon remarriage, spousal benefits are terminated and shall be divided among the children or other dependents.

 

Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
1000 DMV Drive
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (877) 664-2566
Website: www.vwc.state.va.us
E-mail: Questions@workcomp.virginia.gov

 

FUNERAL BENEFIT

 

Maximum of $10,000 for burial expenses, plus up to $1,000 for transportation of the deceased.

 

Virginia Workers’ Compensation Commission
1000 DMV Drive
Richmond, VA 23220
Phone: (877) 664-2566
Website: www.vwc.state.va.us
E-mail: Questions@workcomp.virginia.gov

 

EDUCATION BENEFIT – CHILDREN

 

Undergraduate tuition and required educational and auxiliary fees waived for children ages 16-25 at any public institution of higher learning in Virginia.

 

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
James Monroe Building
101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 225-2600
Fax: (804) 225-2604
Website: www.schev.edu
E-mail: communications@schev.edu

 

EDUCATION BENEFIT – SPOUSE

 

Same as for children, except for age restriction.

 

State Council of Higher Education for Virginia
James Monroe Building
101 N. 14th Street, 10th Floor
Richmond, VA 23219
Phone: (804) 225-2600
Fax: (804) 225-2604
Website: www.schev.edu
E-mail: communications@schev.edu

 

NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

 

HEROES, Inc.
1100 G Street, NW, Suite 300
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: (202) 638-6658
Website: www.heroes.org

 

Serves surviving families in Fairfax and Arlington Counties, as well as the cities of Alexandria, Fairfax, and Falls Church. $5,000 for immediate expenses; $6,000 for funeral expenses. Further assistance provided shortly after death. Professional counseling provided for family members. Scholarships are available to the children and spouse of a deceased firefighter and may include room and board, tuition, books, and fees; renewable each year for four years of undergraduate education.

 

Virginia Public Safety Foundation
9 S. 12th St, Suite 300
Richmond, VA 23218
Phone: (804) 648-6299 x5832
Fax: (804) 643-4490
Website: www.vpsf.org
E-mail: vpsf@alliancegroupltd.com

 

Provides immediate payment of $2,000 to the families of firefighters killed in the line of duty. This is to help with necessary expenses until long-term benefits take effect.

Educational grants available to children and spouses. The grant may cover room and board or books (those expenses which the State Council of Higher Education for Virginia does not cover). Grief counseling and legal services also available.

 

HEALTH INSURANCE

 

Survivors eligible to receive state death benefits also qualify for continued health insurance coverage paid in full out of the state’s general fund. Spouse covered for life or until remarriage. Children covered until age 21, age 25 if full-time student, or longer if mentally or physically disabled.

 

Office of the Comptroller
Department of Accounts
P.O. Box 1971 (Mailing Address)
Richmond, VA 23218-1971
Phone: (804) 225-3038
Fax: (804) 371-8587
Website: www.doa.virginia.gov
E-mail: compt@doa.virginia.gov