Source: http://officerphilipdavis.com/benefits/benefits-alabama/
Timestamp: 2018-02-24 02:15:33
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Survivor Benefits in Alabama | Officer Philip Davis Foundation
Officer Philip Davis Foundation » Survivor Benefits in Alabama
This page contains detailed information about the Public Safety Officers Benefits Program (PSOB) and all other federal, state, local and privately provided benefits that may be available to survivors of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty in Alabama.
Each benefit has different eligibility criteria. Survivors may or may not be eligible to receive certain benefits based on each benefit’s specific criteria. Questions about specific benefits should be directed to the organization providing the benefit.
Death Benefit Payment(s)
PSOB Survivor Death Benefits
Provider: US DOJ – BJA – Public Safety Officers Benefits Program
Amount: $323,035 for officers killed on or after October 1, 2011
Summary: A unique partnership effort of the U.S. Department of Justice; local, state, tribal, and federal public safety agencies; and national organizations, the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) Programs provide death and education benefits to survivors of fallen law enforcement officers, firefighters, and other first responders, and disability benefits to officers catastrophically injured in the line of duty. The PSOB Office at the Bureau of Justice Assistance is honored to review the nearly 700 claims submitted each year on behalf of America’s fallen and catastrophically disabled public safety heroes and their loved ones.
US DOJ – BJA – Public Safety Officers Benefits Program website
US DOJ – BJA – Public Safety Officers Benefits Program
Benefit amounts for officers killed in previous years:
FY2012: $323,035
FY2011: $318,111
FY2010: $311,810
FY2009: $315,746
FY2008: $303,064
FY2007: $295,194
FY2006: $283,385
Provider: United States Social Security Administration
Summary: One time death benefit payment plus monthly death benefits
United States Social Security Administration website
Contact Local Office. See Website
Alabama State Death Benefit
Provider: Alabama State Board of Adjustment
Summary: Alabama law provides for a one-time death benefit payment of $100,000 for the survivors of public safety officers killed in the line of duty.
Alabama State Board of Adjustment website
(334) 242-7175
600 Dexter Avenue, Ste. E302
Alabama law provides for a one-time death benefit payment of $100,000 for the survivors of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. The compensation payable to surviving beneficiaries or dependents of peace officers who are killed in the line of duty shall be paid to the beneficiaries designated by the peace officer. If no beneficiaries have been designated, or if none remain, the compensation shall be paid to the persons entitled thereto without administration or to a guardian or such other person as the awarding authority may direct the use of the persons entitled thereto, as follows: if the deceased peace officer leaves a dependent spouse and no other dependents or partial dependents, the total amount will be paid to the surviving spouse. All claims for compensation shall be presented to the awarding authority within one year from the date of death.
§36-30-1 Definitions; dependents; persons eligible for compensation.
(2) COMPENSATION. The money benefits paid on account of injury or death which occurred during the course of employment or activity as a peace officer or firefighter and is in the nature of workers’ compensation.
(6) PEACE OFFICER. All sheriffs, deputy sheriffs, constables, municipal police officers, municipal policemen, state and town marshals, members of the highway patrol, state troopers, Alcoholic Beverage Control Board Enforcement Division agents, enforcement officers of the Public Service Commission, revenue agents, and persons who are required by law to comply with the provisions of the Peace Officers’ Minimum Standards, employees of the Board of Corrections, highway camp guards, law enforcement officers of the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources, all law enforcement officers of the Alabama Forestry Commission, livestock theft investigators of the Department of Agriculture and Industries, Capitol security guards, narcotic agents and inspectors of the State Board of Health, any other state, county, or municipal officer engaged in quelling a riot, or civil disturbance, and university police officers.
(1) Spouse, unless it be shown that the spouse was voluntarily living apart from the peace officer or firefighter at the time of death, or unless it be shown that the peace officer or firefighter was not in any way contributing to the spouse’s support and had not in any way contributed to the spouse’s support for more than 12 months next preceding the occurrence of the injury causing death.
(3) Spouse, child, mother, father, grandmother, grandfather, sister, brother, mother-in-law, and father-in-law who were wholly supported by a deceased peace officer or firefighter at the time of his or her death and for a reasonable period of time prior thereto shall be considered his or her dependents and payment of compensation may be made to them as hereinafter authorized.
(c) If a paid or volunteer firefighter, peace officer, certified police officer, or reserve law enforcement officer is killed while engaged in the performance of his or her duties and there are no designated beneficiaries, then the compensation shall be paid to his or her dependents or partial dependents in the manner prescribed by Section 36-30-3, and if there are none, the compensation shall be paid to his or her non-dependent children, and if there are none, the compensation shall be paid to his or her parents, and if there are none, the compensation shall be paid to the estate of the deceased.
(d) Any member of the class named in subdivision (3) of subsection (b) who regularly derived part of his or her support from the earnings of the deceased peace officer or the deceased firefighter, as the case may be, at the time of his or her death and for a reasonable time immediately prior thereto shall be considered his or her partial dependent and payment of compensation may be made to such partial dependent as hereinafter authorized.
(Acts 1966, Ex. Sess., No. 208, p. 256, §1; Acts 1967, No. 731, p. 1566, §1; Acts 1969, No. 1130, p. 2094, §1; Acts 1975, No. 1234, p. 2595, §1; Acts 1989, No. 89-742, p. 1471, §1; Acts 1991, No. 91-682, p. 1327, §1; Acts 1995, No. 95-559, p. 1168, §1; Act 2000-761, p. 1742, §1; Act 2002-519, p. 1346, §1; Act 2003-394, §1; Act 2006-426, p. 1054, §1; Act 2008-480, p. 1047, §2.)
Alabama State Payroll
Provider: Alabama State Personnel Department
Summary: Survivors are eligible to obtain all regular salaried earnings up to the time of death, accrued sick time, accrued vacation time, and compensation time.
Alabama State Personnel Department website
Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Fund
Provider: Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission
Summary: The ACVCC provides compensation in the amount of actual expenses incurred as a direct result of criminal acts of other persons.
Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission website
P. O. Box 231267
Alabama’s compensation law covers a variety of expenses for which compensation is paid. The Alabama Crime Victims Compensation Commission provides the only substantial financial compensation to victims for expenses for personal injuries including medical, funeral and counseling bills.
This assistance lessens the financial burden on innocent victims of violent crime and serves as a vehicle of hope for the rights of crime victims.
Our state law is unique. It requires a victim or family member of a victim of violent crime to serve on the three-member Commission which hears victim compensation cases. This provision insures that claims are reviewed from the victim’s standpoint.
Alabama FOP Death Benefit Payment
Provider: Alabama Fraternal Order of Police
Summary: Contact your local lodge for more information.
Alabama Fraternal Order of Police website
Alabama Fraternal Order of Police
Fraternal Order of Police may provide a one-time death benefit to family members of a deceased member officer. Contact your local lodge for information.
Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit
Provider: Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund
Summary: $2,500 death benefit payment for death from any cause. In the case of a LODD, the return of all contributions during membership.
Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund website
(334) 242-4079
Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund
Montgomery, AL 36102-2186
Membership in the Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund entitles death benefits to officers’ survivors in the form of a one-time $2,500 death benefit payment for death from any cause plus, in the case of line-of-duty death, the return of all contributions during membership. Forms can be obtained from the Alabama Peace Officers’ Annuity and Benefit Fund.
APOA Death Benefit Payment
Provider: Alabama Peace Officers’ Association
Summary: $500-to survivors of deceased active members from any cause. $10,000-to survivors of active members killed in the line of duty.
Alabama Peace Officers’ Association website
(334) 269-4328
Alabama Peace Officers’ Association
940 Pelham Street
The Alabama Peace Officers’ Association offers survivors of deceased active members a $500 death benefit for death from any cause. Survivors of active members killed in the line of duty receive a $10,000 benefit.
National Rifle Association Line of Duty Death Benefit
Provider: National Rifle Association (NRA)
Summary: If a deputy, with or without compensation, is feloniously killed in the line of duty (according to government guidelines) and is a current member of the National Rifle Association, the surviving spouse/family is entitled to a $25,000 death benefit.
National Sheriffs’ Association Death Benefits
Provider: National Sheriffs’ Association
Summary: The National Sheriffs’ Association provides free accidental death or dismemberment for its members.
National Sheriffs’ Association website
Southern States PBA Death Benefit Payment
Provider: Southern States Police Benevolent Association
Summary: Base salary for one if year they are killed accidentally or intentionally while performing their law enforcement duties (max. payout-$60,000). The beneficiary will receive $5,000 if it is not an occupational death or if you are retired or a reserve member.
Southern States Police Benevolent Association website
(770) 389-5391
The PBA member’s beneficiary will receive their base salary for one if year they are killed accidentally or intentionally while performing their law enforcement duties (maximum payout: $60,000). The beneficiary will receive $5,000 if it is not an occupational death or if you are a retired or reserve member. Any active Southern States PBA member in good standing and dues current will receive this benefit.
Provider: Woodmen of the World
Summary: Woodmen of the World will pay a $10,000 fraternal death benefit if a qualified member is killed while performing his or her duties as a non-military first responder. To be eligible for this benefit, an individual must be a good standing benefit member. First Responders include firefighters, EMT/paramedics, police or a person performing a supporting role to such individuals.
PSOB Education Benefits
Provider: US DOJ – Public Safety Officers Benefits Program
Summary: The 104th Congress of the United States enacted the Federal Law Enforcement Dependents Assistance (FLEDA) Act in 1996 which sets forth the guidelines for educational assistance to the dependents of Federal law enforcement officials who are killed or disabled in the performance of their duties.
US DOJ – Public Safety Officers Benefits Program website
US DOJ – Public Safety Officers Benefits Program
Alabama State Educational Benefits
Provider: The Alabama Commission on Higher Education
Summary: Dependent children under the age of 21 and spouses are eligible for tuition and textbook costs at eligible state colleges and universities. Time limits may apply for spouses to claim and use this benefit.
The Alabama Commission on Higher Education website
Under Alabama Law Act 82-277, payment of tuition and textbooks costs in a state junior college, technical college or university is made for the dependent children under 21 (natural or adopted) and spouses, if not remarried, of a law enforcement officer killed in the line of duty. The spouse must utilize the benefit within 5 years of the death. A letter from the agency head, together with a certified copy of the marriage license, death certificate, and a birth certificate(s) of child/children are required.
Summary: Provides educational assistance to surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Concerns of Police Survivors (C.O.P.S.) website
Summary: Through their Memorial Foundation, the Eagles provide financial assistance for surviving children of full-time law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty who were also active members of the Fraternal Order of Eagles at the time of their death.
Fraternal Order of Eagles website
Summary: Scholarships are available to children of members of the Order, who, as a result of criminal violence, lost their lives or became totally and permanently disabled while in the lawful performance of their duties as full-time law enforcement officers.
The Knights of Columbus website
Purple Heart Educational Benefits
Provider: Military Order of the Purple Heart
Summary: Membership restricted to “Purple Heart” recipients. Educational benefits for surviving children available. 2.5 GPA required.
Dignity Memorial Funeral Benefits
Provider: Dignity Memorial Funeral, Cremation, & Cem.
Summary: Provides dignified and honorable tributes, at no cost, for career and volunteer law enforcement officers who fall in the line of duty.
Dignity Memorial Funeral, Cremation, & Cem. website
Visit website for list of participating locations.
United States Armed Forces Veterans Pension
Summary: Many law enforcement officers are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces and a number of survivor’s benefits are available to the spouse and children of a deceased veteran. Included in these benefits are: a death pension, funeral expenses, life insurance, and burial plot allowance.
Contact your local office using the link above.
Alabama State Pension Benefits
Provider: The Retirement Systems of Alabama
Summary: Survivors may be eligible for a portion of the officer’s pension, based upon number of years service and age at time of death.
The Retirement Systems of Alabama website
Police pensions are calculated by years and months in service to an Alabama Police Department. This length of service entitles the following pension benefit to an officer’s widow(er) for the remainder of his/her lifetime. Pension standards are set forth in:
A) Employee with_____years service and age_____or above entitles to _____% of salary in pension benefits; based on last three (3) years average income.
B) In the event of employee’s death prior to retirement, pension benefits are reduced by 10%.
C) Beneficiary is then entitled to one-half (1/2) of remaining percentage of pension benefit.
COBRA Health Insurance Requirements
Summary: A federal law known as COBRA (short for the Consolidated Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1985) guarantees that the employer of the deceased officer must make available to the surviving spouse and their dependent children the same type of health insurance as was provided prior to the officer’s death. Coverage is available for up to 36 months and must be paid by the surviving insured. There is no provision in the law for the employer to pay for the health insurance.
Federal Workers Comp for Non-Federal Law Enforcement Officers
Provider: U.S. Office of Workers Compensation Programs
Summary: Survivors of local or state law enforcements officers who are killed while arresting a fugitive wanted by, or committing a crime against, the federal government, or by prisoners held on federal charges, may be eligible for federal works comp benefits.
U.S. Office of Workers Compensation Programs website
Provider: Alabama Department of Industrial Relations
Summary: Workers’ Compensation coverage is compulsory for Alabama employers. Workers’ Compensation benefits are payable to the beneficiaries of an officer for a period of five hundred (500) weeks following the death of an officer in the line of duty.
(334) 353-0510
Alabama Worker’ Comp benefits include a maximum $3,000 funeral expense payment. For death claims, multiply the employee’s average weekly earnings prior to the accident by 50% if the employee has one dependent, or by 66 2/3% if the employee has two or more dependents. Death benefits are subject to maximum and minimum in effect on date of injury. If the deceased employee, at the time of his or her death, has no dependents, then within 60 days of his or her death, the employer shall pay a one-time lump sum payment of $7,500 to the deceased worker’s estate.
In order to file for Worker’s Compensation benefits, the below listed forms/certificates are needed:
A) Marriage License
B) Certified copy of Death Certificate.
C) Certified copy of minor child(ren) Birth Certificates.
D) Physician’s Statement.
Life Insurance / Intestate
Alabama State Life Insurance
Provider: Alabama Department of Insurance
Summary: State life insurance benefits paid to the beneficiaries in this matter are based on double annual salary figures calculated at double indemnity rate.
State life insurance benefits paid to the beneficiaries in this matter are based on double annual salary figures calculated at double indemnity rate.
Descent and Distribution – There are many and material variances from Uniform Probate Code.
Distinction between real and personal property has been abolished (43-8-1). Estate of decedent not effectively disposed of by will in excess of share of surviving spouse, or all such property if no surviving spouse, passes as follows, each class of which member is living taking to exclusion of subsequent classes: (1) Issue of decedent in equal shares if all issue of same degree of kinship to decedent, but by representation (see infra) if of equal degree; (2) parent or parents equally; (3) issue of parents or either of them by representation; (4) in equal shares to more remote paternal and maternal kindred in following manner (a) grandparent or grandparents equally, (b) issue of grandparents in equal shares if all issue of same degree of kinship to decedent, but by representation if of unequal degree; (5) if no paternal or maternal kindred on one side, entire estate to relatives on other side; (6) to state.(43-8-42 to 44). Except where estate could pass to state, heir must survive decedent five days. (43-8-43). Issue of person means all lineal descendants of all generations. (43-8-1 (15)).
For representation, estate is divided into as many shares as there are surviving heirs in nearest degree of kinship and deceased persons in same degree who left issue surviving decedent, each surviving heir in nearest degree receiving one share and share of each deceased person in same degree being divided among issue of such deceased heir in same manner. (43-8-45).
Surviving Spouse takes intestate share as follows: All if no surviving issue or parent of decedent; first $100,000 plus one-half of balance if decedent is survived by parent or parents and no surviving issue; first $50,000 plus one-half of balance if decedent is survived by issue of all whom are also issue of surviving spouse. If estate is located in two or more states, surviving spouse’s share may not exceed in aggregate amounts allowable under Alabama law. (43-8-41). Person who is divorced from decedent or whose marriage has been annulled is not surviving spouse. (43-8- 252). Surviving spouse who feloniously and intentionally kills decedent is not entitled to any intestate share. (43-8-253).
Provider: United States National Guard
Summary: Members of the United States National Guard may subscribe to a Group Life Insurance policy up to $400,000.
United States National Guard website
(703) 607-3162
Alabama Department of Health-Vital Records
Provider: Alabama Department of Health
Summary: Provides Vital Records
Alabama Department of Health website
AARP Peer Support
Provider: American Association of Retired Persons
Summary: AARP organizes widowed persons’ support groups.
ADEC Peer Support
Provider: Association of Death Education & Counseling
Summary: The ADEC of Connecticut gives counseling referrals.
Association of Death Education & Counseling website
(203) 232-4825
Hartford, CT 06105-4298
C.O.P.S. Kids / Teens Camps
Provider: Concerns of Police Survivors
Summary: Provides peer support and emotional assistance to surviving children of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
C.O.P.S. Summer Camp
C.O.P.S.’ Summer Camp provides surviving spouses with children (ages 6-14) the opportunity to work with professional counselors and trained mentors to improve communications within the family unit and resolve grief issues together.
Organized camp activities are supplemented with counseling during the week-long camp. Friendly competition, planned activities that encourage teambuilding, and shared fun times in a camp atmosphere help families recognize that the teamwork approach will help them cope with their grief.
C.O.P.S. Wilderness Experience
Provider: Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc.
Summary: Provides assistance to surviving families of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty.
Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. website
Compassionate Friends Peer Support
Provider: The Compassionate Friends, Inc.
Summary: A nationwide support group for bereaved parents and siblings
The Compassionate Friends, Inc. website
(312) 990-0010
National Victim Center Peer Support
Provider: National Victim Center
Summary: A resource center for all victimization issues.
National Victim Center website
(703) 276-2880
NOVA Peer Support
Provider: National Organization for Victim Assistance
Summary: A nationwide clearinghouse for all victimization issues.
National Organization for Victim Assistance website
Parents of Murdered Children Peer Support
Provider: Parents of Murdered Children
Summary: POMC is the only national self-help organization designed solely to offer emotional support and information about surviving the loss of a loved one to murder.
The On-Site Academy Peer Support
Provider: The On-Site Academy
Summary: Counseling and peer-support training
The On-Site Academy website
(800) 238-3518