Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit Career firefighters: A death benefit of $100,000 is payable to the surviving spouse of a public safety officer who dies as a direct and proximate cause of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. If there is no surviving spouse, the benefit will be divided among the dependent children under the age of 21 at the time of the death. This benefit is not subject to state income tax. Only public safety officers whose primary occupation is that of preventing and extinguishing fires are covered under this law. Contact: Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) 607 N. 8th St. P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0078 Phone: (208) 334-3365 or (800) 451-8228 Website: www.persi.state.id.us (Reference: Cpt 13 title 59-1361A Idaho Code, Public Safety Officer Death Benefit) Workers' Compensation Spousal benefit is 45% of the average weekly state wage, not to exceed 500 weeks. Spouse with dependent children receives an additional 5% per child, not to exceed 60% of total average weekly state wage. If spouse remarries, he or she receives a lump sum in an amount equal to the lesser of 180 weeks or the total benefit for the balance of the 500 weeks at 45% of the current average weekly state wage. Volunteer firefighters: Income benefits are based upon the average weekly wages in their regular employment. Contact: Idaho State Industrial Commission 317 Main Street P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0041 (208) 334-8000 or (800) 950-2110 Website: www.iic.idaho.gov Funeral Benefit Maximum of $6,000 for burial expenses. Contact: Idaho State Industrial Commission 317 Main Street P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0041 (208) 334-8000 or (800) 950-2110 Website: www.iic.idaho.gov Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Spouse of paid firefighter is eligible to receive a lifetime benefit from the Firemen's Retirement Fund equal to the amount the firefighter would have received had retirement taken place on the date of death. Benefit can be no less than a monthly sum of 65% of average wages in Idaho or the deceased firefighter's average monthly salary or wage based on the final compensation. There is an annual cost of living adjustment. If spouse should die, or if no spouse, surviving children receive the benefit until age 18 or marriage, whichever is first. If only children survive, benefits given to children until age 18 or marriage, whichever comes first. Contact: Public Employee Retirement System of Idaho (PERSI) 607 N. 8th St. P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0078 Phone: (208) 334-3365 or (800) 451-8228 Website: www.persi.state.id.us (Reference: Idaho statutes Title 72; Workers Comp and Related Laws Industrial Comm. Cpt 14) » View the Firefighter Retirement Fund Handbook Education Benefit - Children For dependents of full-time or part-time firefighters, including volunteers, killed or disabled in the line of duty. The state waives all tuition and fees at Idaho public institutions of higher learning or public professional-technical colleges. Eligible survivors may also receive on-campus housing and meal plan, and a maximum book allowance of $500 per semester or quarter or other period. Limit is 36 months or four 9-month periods. Benefits shall not exceed 10 years past the date the dependent receives a high school diploma, or equivalency, or beyond the date the dependent turns age 30, whichever event comes first. Public safety officer must have been resident of Idaho at the time of his or her death or disability. Contact: Public Safety Officers Dependent Scholarship Idaho State Board of Education P.O. Box 83720 Boise, ID 83720-0037 Phone:(208) 332-1574 Website: www.boardofed.idaho.gov Also See: Public Safety Officer Scholarship (Reference: ID Statutes Title 33 Ed, cpt 43 Scholarships) Education Benefit - Spouse None. Non-Profit or Private Organizations None.