Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit Up to $125,000: $50,000 for deaths related to official duties and an additional $75,000 if killed in an incident related to responding, engaging in, or returning from a fire. Full payment to spouse and/or children under age 22. Lesser amount to parents if no surviving spouse or children. Additional benefits paid in three annual installments. Covers State Forestry and Arkansas Fire Training Academy employees and 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 Website: claimscommission.ar.gov (Reference: Arkansas annotated code 19-10-201 Act 839) Workers' Compensation Career firefighters: Spouse receives 35% of wages earned at time of death with weekly minimum and maximum; spouse with children receives an additional 15% per child, not to exceed a total of 65%. If spouse remarries, weekly benefits cease. Spouse will receive two-year lump sum. Children receive benefits until age 18, beyond if physically or mentally disabled; eligible to age 25 if full-time student. Volunteer firefighters: Deemed county employees so survivors receive minimum level compensation. Survivors also receive death benefits in same manner as regular employees. Contact: Workers' Compensation Commission P.O. Box 950 324 Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72203-0950 (501) 682-3930 or (800) 622-4472 Website: www.awcc.state.ar.us (Reference: Workers' Comp ARKLEG Statutes 11-9-527; 14-28-102) Funeral Benefit Maximum of $6,000 for burial expenses. Contact: Workers' Compensation Commission P.O. Box 950 324 Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72203-0950 (501) 682-3930 or (800) 622-4472 Website: www.awcc.state.ar.us Retirement/Pension Plan For members of Arkansas Local Police and Fire Retirement System (LOPFI): Career firefighters: If duty-related death occurs before age 55 with any amount of service, credit determined as if deceased has accrued 25 years of service. Spousal benefit computed as if employee had retired; monthly benefit equal to 50% of the amount firefighter would receive. Benefit for dependent children based on several factors. Volunteer firefighters: If duty-related death, service credit is determined as if the member has accrued 25 years of service. Volunteer service is indexed. Spousal benefit computed as if employee had retired; monthly benefit equal to 50% of the amount volunteer firefighter would receive. Benefit for dependent children based on several factors. Contact: LOPFI 820 W. 3rd Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 (501) 682-1745 or (866) 859-1745 Website: www.lopfi-prb.com (Reference: LOPFI Handbook 2007 page 18-20) Education Benefit - Children Scholarship for 8 semesters at any state-supported college or university. Up to 4 semesters may be at a technical intstitute. Does not cover cost of books, food, school supplies, materials and fees for extracurricular activities. Benefit available until age 23. Contact: State Claims Commission 101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 682-1619 Website: http://claimscommission.ar.gov/ or Arkansas Department of Higher Education 114 E. Capitol Avenue Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 371-2000 Website: www.arkansashighered.com Education Benefit - Spouse Same as for children, except for age limit. If spouse remarries, benefits cease at the end of the semester in which remarriage occurs. Contact: State Claims Commission 101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 682-1619 Website: http://claimscommission.ar.gov/ or Arkansas Department of Higher Education 114 E. Capitol Avenue Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 371-2000 Website: www.arkansashighered.com Non-Profit or Private Organizations Kid's Chance of Arkansas Box 250249 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 251-7802 Email: kidschance@awcc.state.ar.us A scholarship program for children of workers' killed or left permanently and totally disabled by job-related injuries or illnesses that are covered under the Arkansas workers' compensation laws. Line-of-Duty Disability One-time benefit: $10,000 after one year or for a disability rating of more than 25% from the Workers' Compensation Commission. Contact: State Claims Commission 101 E. Capitol Avenue, Suite 410 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 682-1619 Website: http://claimscommission.ar.gov/ Workers' Compensation: Special language for Volunteer firefighters: Firefighters with a certified municipal or county department shall be deemed regular employees and shall receive minimum compensation. Volunteer firefighter must file annually with the county clerk that minimum training standards have been met. Contact: Workers' Compensation Commission P.O. Box 950 324 Spring Street Little Rock, AR 72203-0950 (501) 682-3930 or (800) 622-4472 Website: www.awcc.state.ar.us Retirement/Pension Plan: For members of Arkansas Local Police & Fire Retirement System (LOPFI) with distinctions between career and volunteer firefighters: Career firefighters: If injured in the line of duty, monthly disability benefit equal to 65% of the salary attached to the rank held by the member in the department or to the benefit paid to normal service retirees. Volunteer firefighters: If duty-related, 25 years used for service credit. Contact: LOPFI 820 W. 3rd Street, Suite 200 Little Rock, AR 72201 Phone: (501) 682-1745 or (866) 859-1745 Website: www.lopfi-prb.com E-mail: info@lopfi-prb.com