Updated: December 2009

One-time Death Benefit None. Workers' Compensation Benefit is 70% of average weekly wage, or $794 in 2010. Minimum and maximum amounts apply. Medical costs associated with the death are covered. Children eligible for benefits until age 18, age 23 if a full-time student, or longer if disabled or incapable of self-support. Spouse receives benefits until death or remarriage. If remarriage occurs during the period covered by such weekly payments and before the total compensation is paid, the spouse is entitled to receive the remainder of compensation which would have been due had the spouse not remarried, or 100 times the amount of weekly compensation paid immediately preceding remarriage, whichever is less. If a child is physically or mentally disabled, he or she may be eligible for additional benefits. Volunteer firefighters: Compensation is based on a weekly salary presumed to be received by the firefighter. Spouse receives state's maximum benefit amount. Contact: Division of Workers' Compensation and Workforce Development NJ Department of Labor P.O. Box 381 Trenton, NJ 08625-0381 Phone: (609) 292-2515 Website: lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wc/wc_index.html (Reference: New Jersey Statutes 34-15-16) Funeral Benefit Maximum of $3,500 for burial expenses. Contact: Division of Workers' Compensation and Workforce Development NJ Department of Labor P.O. Box 381 Trenton, NJ 08625-0381 Phone: (609) 292-2515 Fax: (609) 984-2515 Website: lwd.dol.state.nj.us/labor/wc/wc_index.html Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Membership in the system is mandatory for permanent, full-time career firefighters. If death occurs in active service before retirement, the named beneficiary will receive a Group Life Insurance death benefit equal to 350% of the firefighter's final compensation, which is the base salary in the 12 months immediately preceding death. If the firefighter dies during the first year of credible service, the benefits will be 350% of the creditable base salary upon which the pension contributions were paid. The surviving spouse is paid an annual pension of 50% of the employee's final compensation. In the case of accidental death, the surviving spouse is paid an annual pension of 70% of the deceased firefighter's final compensation. Benefits cease upon remarriage. If there is no surviving spouse or if the spouse remarries, a smaller pension is paid to the eligible children (50% to 3 or more children; 35% to two or fewer). Benefits are adjusted annually to reflect the cost of living. Contact: Police and Firemen's Retirement System Division of Pensions and Benefits Department of the Treasury P.O. Box 295 Trenton, NJ 08625-0295 Phone: (609) 292-7524 Information System at (609) 777-1777 Website: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions (Reference: Group Policy# G-14800, Prudential Life; PERA Handbook on the website) Volunteer firefighters: Provides $15,000 annually to the surviving spouse or children, $10,000 annually to the children if the spouse remarries, or $5,000 annually to the parents if the firefighter leaves no surviving spouse or children. To receive benefits, the firefighter must have died as the result of injuries sustained in the course of performance of duty on or after January 1, 2000. Contact: Police and Firemen's Retirement System Division of Pensions and Benefits Department of the Treasury P.O. Box 295 Trenton, NJ 08625-0295 Phone: (609) 292-7524 Information System at (609) 777-1777 Website: www.state.nj.us/treasury/pensions (Reference: NJSA 40A-14-44) Education Benefit - Children Survivor Tuition Benefits Program grants pay the actual cost of tuition up to the highest tuition charged at a New Jersey public institution. If enrolled in a New Jersey private school, survivors receive same amount as in New Jersey public institutions. Must enroll at least half time in an undergraduate degree or certificate program at a college or university in New Jersey. Limited to eight years following graduation from high school. Contact: New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 4 Quaker Bridge Plaza P.O. Box 545 Trenton, NJ 08625-0545 Phone: (800) 792-8670 Website: www.njhesaa.org Education Benefit - Spouse Same as for children, except it is limited to eight years following the death of the firefighter. Contact: New Jersey Higher Education Student Assistance Authority 4 Quaker Bridge Plaza P.O. Box 545 Trenton, NJ 08625-0545 Phone: (800) 792-8670 Website: www.njhesaa.org Non-Profit or Private Organizations New Jersey State Firemen's Association 1700 Galloping Hill Rd. Kenilworth, NJ 07033-1303 Phone: (908) 6201871 or (800) 852-0137 Website: www.njstatefiremensrelief.com Must be a member to receive benefits. Relief Fund benefit varies (LOSAP benefit triples based on time-in-service). Burial benefits awarded based on time in Association. The following organizations provide benefits to survivors of career and volunteer firefighters within specific counties of New Jersey: The 200 Club of Bergen County 560 Hudson Street Hackensack, NJ 07601 Phone: (201) 229-0600 E-mail: bc200club@worldnet.att.net Website: www.200club.org $5,000 for immediate expenses. If there is additional need, assistance may be available. Tuition may be paid for children if need exists. 200 Club of Burlington County 325 New Albany Road Moorestown, NJ 08057 Phone: (856) 222-0100 Website: www.burlco200.org About $5,000 one-time death benefit to the family. Scholarships available for children. Camden County Hero Scholarship 200 Club 191 W. White Horse Pike Berlin, NJ 08009 Phone: (856) 768-9656 Website: www.camdencountyhero.com $5,000 one-time death benefit. Educational scholarships available for children up to the highest tuition at a New Jersey state institution but children may attend any college/university. Also provides books and fees. 200 Club of Cape May & Atlantic Counties P.O. Box 622 Northfield, NJ 08225 Phone: (800) 515-7770 Website: www.capeatlantic200club.org Financial support of up to $5,000 for immediate expenses. Scholarships available for children and step-children. 200 Club of Essex County P.O. Box 32249 Newark, NJ 07102-9713 Phone: (973) 694-4105 or (732) 441-3786 E-mail: npoloso@aol.com Website: www.200clubessexcounty.org Immediate financial assistance is provided to spouse or other relative. If special need, additional financial assistance available. Educational assistance available to each child under age 26. (Request LODD fatality Guidebook.) 200 Club of Hudson County P.O. Box 1444 Bayonne, NJ 07002 Phone: (201) 858-4925 Up to $5,000 based on each individual case. One-time scholarships available for $2,500. 200 Club of Hunterdon County, NJ, Inc. P.O. Box 5518 Clinton, NJ 08809 Phone: (908) 730-0678, ext. 202 E-mail: stephenson30@netzero.net $5,000 immediate death benefit. Further assistance available if needed. Scholarships available for children. 200 Club of Mercer County P.O. Box 6755 Lawrenceville, NJ 08648 Phone: (609) 730-0828 Website: www.mercer200club.com $5,000 one-time death benefit. The 200 Club of Middlesex County P.O. Box 387 Woodbridge, NJ 07095 Phone: (732) 887-5770 Website: www.middlesex200club.org $5,000 immediate death benefit. Additional financial assistance provided if needed. Scholarships are provided to children with need, if they meet the academic performance requirements. The 200 Club of Morris County P.O. Box 1743 Morristown, NJ 07962-1743 Phone: (732) 279-4258 Website: www.200clubofmorriscounty.com Spouse awarded $25,000 death benefit. $3,500 annual dependency award for each eligible child until age 18. $5,000 per year provided for each child's undergraduate education until age 23. Passaic County 200 Club 55 Union Blvd. Totowa, NJ 07512 Phone: (973) 754-6445 The 200 Club of Somerset County P.O. Box 772 Somerville, NJ 08876 Phone: (908) 526-2565 ext. 206 Immediate death benefit of up to $10,000. Survivors contacted a few months after death and assistance is provided in paying current debts. Annual scholarships are available to children. 200 Club of Sussex County P.O. Box 2024 Branchville, NJ 07826 Phone: (973) 827-2914 ext. 172 Benefits vary. The Two Hundred Club of Union County 222 Park Avenue Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 Phone: (908) 322-2422 Benefits vary. 200 Club of Monmouth County PO Box 402 Spring Lake, NY 07762 Phone: (732) 449-3800 E-mail: ginny@danskin-agency.com $10,000 lump sum. 200 Club of Oren County PO Box 1749 Pt. Pleasant Beach, NJ 08742 Phone: (732) 244-5900 200 Club Warren County 50 Alfalfa Hill Milford, NJ 08848 Phone: (908) 995-9110 E-mail: pagroloy@aol.com Several $5,000 scholarships.