Updated September 2018

ONE-TIME DEATH BENEFIT

If a member dies in the performance of duty and the Mayor determines that the death was the sole and direct result of a personal injury sustained while performing such duty, a lump sum of $50,000 shall be made to the primary survivor. If more than one eligible survivor, each receives equal share of amount. If no eligible survivor, payment shall go to the parent or sibling if the parent or sibling received more than one half of his or her support from the member.

Contact:

Department of Human Resources
DCHR Benefits & Retirement Administration
Government of the District of Columbia
1015 Half Street, SE, 9th Floor
Washington, DC 20003
Phone: (202) 442-7627
Fax: (202) 727-9070
E-mail: dchr.benefits@dc.gov
Website: dchr.dc.gov/page/employee-benefits

(Reference: Title 5, Ch 7, Sub 16 DC Official Code)

WORKERS’ COMPENSATION

Benefit for spouse is 50% of employee’s weekly wage and spouse with child can receive 66 2/3% of wages. Spouse receives two-year lump sum upon remarriage or entry into domestic partnership and weekly benefits cease. If no surviving spouse, but one surviving child, s/he will receive 50% of employee’s weekly wage. If more than one child survivor without surviving spouse, percentage is increased to 66 2/3%. Children eligible until age 18 or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support, or until age 23 if full-time students.

Contact:

District of Columbia Workers’ Compensation
Department of Employment Services
Labor Standards Bureau
4058 Minnesota Avenue N.E., Third Floor
Washington, DC 20019
Phone: (202) 671-1000
Website: does.dc.gov

(Reference: Title 32, Ch 15, Sub 9 DC Official Code)

COMPENSATION FOR DEATH OR DISABILITY OF FIREFIGHTERS FROM OCCUPATIONAL DISEASES

The following illnesses are covered: cancer (breast, pancreatic, rectal, testicular, throat, ovarian, leukemia), chronic diseases (heart disease, hypertension, respiratory disease), and communicable diseases (hepatitis, meningococcal meningitis, tuberculosis, human immunodeficiency virus (HIV))

(Reference: The Fire and Emergency Medical Services Employee Presumptive Disability Amendment Act, D.C. Law 19-331)

Contact:

FUNERAL BENEFIT

Maximum burial allowance of $5,000.

Contact:

RETIREMENT/PENSION PLAN

If a member dies in the performance of duty after December 29, 1993, and leaves a widow or widower entitled to all or a portion of the lump sum payment, an additional annuity shall be paid. It shall equal 100% of the member’s pay at the time of death and shall be increased at the same rate as the change in the Consumer Price Index. This benefit shall be paid in lieu of any other benefits listed below. In the case of the death of a member before retirement, an annuity shall be paid to the spouse of approximately 40% of member’s average pay at time of death. Children eligible for additional benefits of approximately 60% of member’s average pay. Unmarried children are eligible until age 18 or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support or to age 22 if student. If multiple children survivors, percentage shifts. Spouse’s annuity terminates upon remarriage before age 55; can be restored if remarriage is terminated. Lump sum survivor benefit of $50,000 is also available.

Contact:

(Reference: Title 5, Ch 7, Sub 16 DC Official Code)

EDUCATION BENEFIT – CHILDREN

None.

EDUCATION BENEFIT – SPOUSE

None.

NON-PROFIT OR PRIVATE ORGANIZATIONS

HEROES, Inc.

1200 29th St NW
Washington, DC 20007
Phone: (202) 638-6658

Website: heroes.org

Provides up to $6,000 for funeral expenses and an immediate check for $5,000 within 24 hours of death. Also provides college scholarship aid including room and board, tuition, books and associated fees. Aid is renewable for a total of four years of undergraduate education.

The International Association of Fire Fighters

1750 New York Avenue, N.W.
Washington, D.C. 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) 343-4464
Website: 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. 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 Road
Broadview, 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.

Disclaimer: The material contained in the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation Survivor Benefits website is not the result of legal research, but rather is based on a scan of public documents. We have made every effort to be accurate and timely, but errors may exist. The material on this website is advisory only and should not be cited as evidence or proof that a benefit exists or that our facts are accurate. Always consult the decedent’s fire department for benefits assistance, or a benefits’ attorney. If, in the course of your own research, you see errors of fact, or new benefit information, please pass this information along to the National Fallen Firefighters Foundation.