Updated: December 2009

One-time Death Benefit Benefit is equal to 40% of amount provided by the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) program. As of October 2009, the state benefit provided is $124,724 and is adjusted annually. The firefighter must have died from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duties. Beneficiaries include the surviving spouse and, if no surviving spouse, the child or children of the firefighter. If there is no surviving spouse or children, the parents are eligible, if they were at least 50 percent financially dependent on the firefighter. Contact: Department of Labor and Training Police Officer & Fire Fighter Board/Relief Fund 1511 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462-8855 Website: www.dlt.ri.gov (Reference: RI Code 45-19-4.3) Workers' Compensation Firefighters are not considered state employees for the purpose of workers' compensation. State statute 28-29-2 specifically excludes volunteers and any members of regularly organized fire departments. However, individual municipalities provide benefits as well as some firefighter unions. Check with benefits officer of the fire department. Contact: Workers' Compensation Division Department of Labor and Training 1151 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 (401) 462-8000 Website: www.dlt.ri.gov/wc/ Funeral Benefit None. Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Membership is mandatory for regular members of participating departments. Accidental death benefit for a line-of-duty death is a monthly annuity of 50% of the member's compensation at the time of death, payable to the spouse. Spouse receives an additional 10% for each child under age 18. Entire benefit cannot exceed 66 2/3%. If the spouse remarries, benefits cease. Contact: Employees Retirement System of Rhode Island 40 Fountain Street Providence, RI 02903-1854 Phone: (401) 222-2203 Website: www.ersri.org (Reference: Police and Fire Handbook on ERSRI website) Education Benefit - Children Tuition waiver for undergraduate education at state colleges or universities. Student must start college between ages 16 and 21. Benefit available for the normal period of time for completing the course of study, up to four years. Contact: Department of Labor and Training Police Officer & Fire Fighter Board/Relief Fund 1511 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462-8855 Website: www.dlt.ri.gov (Reference: Rhode Island Code 45-19-12.1) Education Benefit - Spouse None. Non-Profit or Private Organizations 100 Club of Rhode Island, Inc. 222 Chestnut Street Providence, RI 02903 Phone: (401) 421-2500 Website: www.100clubri.com $25,000 immediately provided to the spouse or children. Dependent children receive an education benefit of up to $3,500 per year. Children under age 18 receive an annual $1,000 bond in July. Special Program Relief of Injured and Deceased Fire Fighters and Police Officers provides benefits if paid, volunteer, or auxiliary firefighter is killed or dies from injuries received while in the performance of his or her duty as a member or dies of a heart condition, respiratory ailments, or any condition derived from hypertension while still a member. Benefit of $3,600 per year ($300 per month) paid to spouse as long as spouse does not remarry. An additional $1,200 a year to the spouse for each child under age 18 or disabled and incapable of self-support. Law makes provisions for other possible situations. Amounts not affected by contributions from other sources. Funded by the state. Contact: Department of Labor and Training Police Officer & Fire Fighter Board/Relief Fund 1511 Pontiac Avenue Cranston, RI 02920 Phone: (401) 462-8855 Website: www.dlt.ri.gov