Updated July 2021 (COVID-19 related benefits updated April 2021)
COVID-19 BENEFITS
COVID-19-related first responder deaths are considered line-of-duty deaths under the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program. Legislation passed in August 2020 established a statutory presumption for first responders who die from, or are disabled by complications related to, COVID-19. Prior to August, suspected cases were required to have proof that exposure occurred during their work duties.
(Legislation: S.3607 – Safeguarding America’s First Responders Act of 2020)
Contact:
Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program
Phone: (888) 744-6513
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: bja.ojp.gov/program/psob
ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFITS
Contact:
Department of Public Safety
Division of Fire
Commissioner Le’i Sonny Thompson
Phone: (684) 633-1111
Fax: (684) 633-7296
Website: http://americansamoa.gov/
Also, contact fire service headquarters at:
Department Of Public Safety Fire Division Headquarters
Fagatogo
Pago Pago, American Samoa, 96799
Phone: (684) 633-5858
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
WC Board will review each incident.
Contact:
American Samoa
Workmen’s Compensation Commission
Office of the Governor
A.P. Lutali Executive Office Building
Third Floor – Utulei, Pago Pago, AS 96799
Phone: 011 (684) 633-4116
Fax: 011 (684) 633-2269
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.americansamoa.gov
FUNERAL BENEFIT
Unknown.
RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN
Contact the Government Employees’ Retirement Fund for more information. The Retirement Fund covers most territorial firefighters.
Contact:
American Samoa Government Employees’ Retirement Fund
Director
Centennial Office Building – Utulei
American Samoa 96799
Phone: (684) 633-5456
Website: www.americansamoa.gov/retirement-fund-asg
EDUCATION BENEFIT - CHILDREN
Unknown.
EDUCATION BENEFIT - SPOUSE
Unknown.
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
Contact the Social Security Administration office for more information.
Contact:
Pago Pago Social Security
Centennial Building
3rd Floor Suite 302
Pago Pago, AS 96799
Phone: (800) 772-1213
TTY: 1-800-325-0778
NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS
National Fallen Firefighters Foundation
P.O. Box 498
Emmitsburg, MD 21727
Phone: (301) 4471-1365
FAX: (301) 4471-1645
Website: www.firehero.org
The Sarbanes Scholarship Program
Spouses, life partners, children, and stepchildren of firefighters honored at the National Fallen Firefighters Memorial are eligible to apply for the NFFF Sarbanes Scholarship Program along with other partner programs. The NFFF Sarbanes Scholarships are awarded for undergraduate and graduate studies, vocational-technical training, and certification and job training programs. They may be used for study at in-state or out-of-state public and private schools.
The International Association of Fire Fighters
1750 New York Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20006
Website: client.prod.iaff.org/#contentid=1743
The W. H. “Howie” McClennan scholarship provides financial assistance for sons, daughters or legally adopted children of IAFF Union Members killed in the line of duty planning to attend a university, accredited college or other institution of higher learning. Scholarship amount is $2,500 per year, renewable up to 4 consecutive years.
FUNERAL & CREMATION BENEFITS
Dignity Memorial
Phone: (800) 343-4464Website: www.dignitymemorial.com
Dignity Memorial is a consortium of funeral, cremation and cemetery providers across the United States and Canada. They have a Public Servants Program for first responders and emergency services workers. Dignity provides these services, at no cost, for career and volunteer firefighters who are killed in the line of duty. Also provides “extended counseling” to the grieving family. There is a location finder per state on the website, and funeral directors are encouraged to contact Dignity regarding the first responder program.
Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc.
2913 Gardner RoadBroadview, IL 50155
Phone: (708) 681-7040 (Terry Whitlock)
Website: www.wilbert.com
Wilbert provides complimentary burial vaults (including urns vaults) for fallen law enforcement officers and firefighters through 193 licensee locations. Funeral directors should contact Wilbert for information on obtaining vaults.