WEST VIRGINIA SURVIVOR BENEFITS

 

ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFIT

 

The West Virginia Fire and EMS Survivor Benefits Act was passed on March 3, 2007. It provides a $50,000 one time death benefit for firefighters and EMTs – career, volunteer and part-paid.

 

Office of the Governor
State Capitol
1900 Kanawha Blvd. East
Charleston, WV 25305
Phone: (304) 558-2000
Toll Free: (888) 438-2731
Website: www.governor.wv.gov/Pages/default.aspx

 

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

 

Spousal benefit is 70% of the employee’s average weekly wages. Minimum and maximum amounts apply. Upon remarriage, spousal benefit is terminated. Children are considered dependent until age 18, age 25 if full-time student at an accredited school, or longer to an invalid child if incapable of self-support.

 

Permanent Total Disability (PTD) Benefits: An injured worker’s wage paid is 66 2/3%. Wage may not exceed Federal minimum hourly wage. Maximum period of payment is to age 65 or for the length of the disability, whichever is shorter. The injured worker may reduce payments and provide an annuity at death for surviving dependents.

 

Workers’ Compensation Division
P.O. Box 50540 (Mailing Address)
Charleston, WV 25305-0540
Phone: (304) 558-5230
Toll Free: (888) 879-9842
Website: www.wvinsurance.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=315

 

FUNERAL BENEFIT

 

Maximum of $5,000 for burial expenses.

 

Workers’ Compensation Division
P.O. Box 50540 (Mailing Address)
Charleston, WV 25305-0540
Phone: (304) 558-5230
Toll Free: (888) 879-9842
Website: www.wvinsurance.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=315

 

EDUCATION BENEFIT – CHILDREN

 

Tuition waived and some fees covered at state institutions of higher learning. Covers full-time undergraduate education for no more than four years.

 

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301-2800
Phone:(304) 558-2101
Fax: (304) 558-5719
Website: wvhepcnew.wvnet.edu

 

EDUCATION BENEFIT – SPOUSE

 

Tuition waived and some fees covered at state institutions of higher learning. Covers full-time undergraduate education for no more than four years.

 

West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission
1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700
Charleston, WV 25301-2800
Phone: (304) 558-2101
Fax: (304) 558-5719
Website: wvhepcnew.wvnet.edu

 

NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

 

The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation
1600 Huntington Square, 900 Lee Street East
PO Box 3041Charleston, WV 25331
Phone:(304) 346-3620
Toll Free: (800) 467-5909
Website: www.tgkvf.org
E-mail: tgkvf@tgkvf.org

 

The Kids’ Chance of West Virginia, administered by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, is designed to provide scholarships to children ages 16-25 whose parent has been fatally injured in a WV work-related accident or whose parent is currently receiving Permanent Total Disability benefits from the WV Workers Compensation Division. The scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic performance, leadership abilities, and demonstrated and potential contributions to school and community.