Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit $50,000 benefit in four increments; $20,000 at death and $10,000 each year for three years. Benefits paid to surviving spouse. If no surviving spouse, benefit is divided among surviving dependent children. If no qualifying family members, benefit is paid in lump sum to the estate. If spouse remarries, benefits are transferred to the next eligible survivor. To be eligible for this benefit, the firefighter's death must have been: the result of bodily injuries, extreme exercise, or extreme activity experienced in the course and scope of official duties, or as the direct and proximate result of a myocardial infarction while on duty or within 24 hours after participating in a training exercise or responding to an emergency situation. If so, the firefighter is presumed to have been killed in the line of duty. Contact: North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation 4340 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4340 Phone: (919) 807-2500 Fax: (919) 715-0282 Website: www.ic.nc.gov (Reference: Chapter 143 Art 12A Death Benefit Act) Workers' Compensation Benefit is 66 2/3% of deceased employee's average weekly wages for 400 weeks. Maximum amount applies and is adjusted annually. Benefit divided among those wholly dependent for support upon the earnings of the deceased. Spouse who was disabled at the time of firefighter's death receives lifetime benefit, unless remarriage occurs. Children are considered dependent until age 18. Volunteer firefighters: Benefit is based on the average weekly wage earned in the employment where the firefighter principally earned his/her livelihood as of the date of injury. Minimum compensation is 66 2/3% of maximum weekly benefit. Contact: North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation 4340 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4340 Phone: (919) 807-2500 Fax: (919) 715-0282 Website: www.ic.nc.gov (Reference: Workers' Comp Law; Chapter 97) Funeral Benefit Maximum of $3,500 for burial expenses. Contact: North Carolina Industrial Commission Workers' Compensation 4340 Mail Service Center Raleigh, NC 27699-4340 Phone: (919) 807-2500 Fax: (919) 715-0282 Website: www.ic.nc.gov Retirement/Pension Plan Spouse receives a lump-sum benefit for the amount the firefighter paid into the Pension Fund. If there is no spouse, benefits are paid to children or their guardian. Beneficiary pays no income tax on death benefits; they are treated as life insurance benefits. Contact: North Carolina Firemen's and Rescue Squad Workers' Pension Fund Department of State Treasurer 325 North Salisbury Street Raleigh, NC 27603-1385 Phone: (919) 508-5176 E-mail: nc.retirement@treasurer.state.nc.us Website: www.treasurer.state.nc.us/DSThome/RetirementSystems Fire and Rescue Squad Pension Fund Handbook, page 8 (2009) Education Benefit - Children Tuition waiver, not including any other fees and charges or costs of textbooks, to state-supported institutions of higher education, community colleges, industrial centers, and technical institutes; if firefighter's death was the direct result of a traumatic injury sustained in the line of duty. Children between ages 17 and 22 are eligible for the benefit. Benefit cannot exceed 48 months if the child is seeking a baccalaureate degree or, if the child is not seeking a baccalaureate degree, the number of months required to complete the educational program. Contact: North Carolina Community College System 200 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27603 Phone: (919) 807-7100 Website: www.ncccs.cc.nc.us or contact any state college or university. Education Benefit - Spouse Same as for children, except for age restriction. Spouse becomes ineligible upon remarriage. Contact: North Carolina Community College System 200 West Jones Street Raleigh, NC 27603 Phone: (919) 807-7100 Website: www.ncccs.cc.nc.us or contact any state college or university. Non-Profit or Private Organizations North Carolina State Firemen's Association 323 West Jones Street Suite 401 Raleigh, NC 27603 Phone: (919) 821-2132 Toll-Free: (800) 253-4733 Fax: (919) 821-9382 Website: www.ncsfa.com Members' beneficiaries eligible to receive generous benefits which are outlined on the website. These include a lump sum death benefit, presumptive findings for heart and stroke, and allotments for surviving children, including educational expenses. May include seat belt payment. Kids Chance of North Carolina P.O. Box 470426 Charlotte, NC 28247 Phone: (704) 264-9111 Website: www.kidschancenc.org Provides college scholarship assistance to children (ages 16-25) of North Carolina workers who are killed on the job. 200 Club of Wake County 3605 Glenwood Ave, Suite 500 Box 20389 Raleigh, NC 27619 Phone: (916) 787-8880 Website: www.200clubwakecounty.org Provides family assistance.