Updated: November 2009

One-time Death Benefit Volunteer firefighters: $25,000 death benefit for volunteer firefighters killed in the line of duty. To be eligible, the deceased must have met each of the following criteria: been a member of a municipal or non-profit fire department registered and recognized by the TN State Fire Marshal's Office; been an unpaid volunteer with such fire department; and must have been required to extinguish and control fires or fire-related incidents. The death must have occurred in the course of employment and as a result of the actual discharge of the duties of the position. Contact: Department of Commerce and Insurance 5th Floor 500 James Robertson Parkway Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: (615) 741-2705 Website: www.tennessee.gov/commerce Workers' Compensation Medical costs associated with death are paid when rendered by an authorized provider. Career firefighters: Benefit is 66 2/3% of employee's average weekly wages when there are dependents. Benefit paid biweekly to surviving spouse until amount due has been paid in full. Maximum amount through June 2008 is $285,200. The maximum benefit payable is based on the date of injury. Upon remarriage, spousal benefits terminate. Children are considered dependent until age 18, age 22 if a full-time student, or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support. Lump sum of $20,000 payable to decedent's estate if there are no surviving dependents. Contact: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Workers' Compensation Division 220 French Landing Drive Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: (615) 741-6642 or 1-800-332-2667 (within Tennessee) Website: www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/wcomp.html Funeral Benefit Maximum of $7,500 for burial expenses. Contact: Tennessee Department of Labor and Workforce Development Workers' Compensation Division 220 French Landing Drive Nashville, TN 37243 Phone: (615) 741-6642 or 1-800-332-2667 (within Tennessee) Website: www.state.tn.us/labor-wfd/wcomp.html Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Only for members of the Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System. If the firefighter dies in the line of duty, the designated beneficiary receives a lump sum refund of the contributions and interest in the account and an additional amount equal to the accumulated contributions and interest. Only the spouse may elect to receive benefit as a monthly annuity. Contact: Tennessee Consolidated Retirement System 10th Floor, Andrew Jackson State Office Building 500 Deaderick Street Nashville, TN 37243-0230 Phone: (615) 741-4868 Website: www.treasury.state.tn.us/tcrs Education Benefit - Children The Dependent Children Scholarship Program provides aid for Tennessee residents who are dependent children of a Tennessee law enforcement officer, fireman, or an emergency medical service technician who has been killed or totally and permanently disabled while performing duties within the scope of such employment. The scholarship is awarded to full-time undergraduate students attending eligible Tennessee institutions. The award may be renewed three times for a total of four years or the period required for the completion of the program of study. The recipient must be enrolled full-time and maintain satisfactory progress to remain eligible. The awards are subject to funding. Applicant must also submit the properly-completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by the application deadline. Contact TSAC for application information or click on one of the links above. To be considered, TSAC must receive the completed application and required documentation by the July 15 deadline. Contact: Tennessee Student Assistance Corporation 404 James Robertson Parkway, Suite 1950 Parkway Towers Nashville, TN 37243-0820 Phone: (615) 741-1346 or (800) 342-1663 Fax: (615) 741-6101 Website: www.CollegePaysTn.com Apply Online: https://egrands.guarantorsolutions.com/scholarshipapps/ Education Benefit - Spouse None. Non-Profit or Private Organizations The 100 Club of Memphis P.O. Box 111262 Germantown, TN 38183 Phone: (901) 748-8889 Website: www.100clubmemphis.org Approximately $2,500 provided to family directly after death; $7,500 trust fund set up for all children up to age 25. Fund earns interest until child is of college age and can only be used for educational purposes. Trust reverts back to the 100 Club if not used. Must be a resident of Shelby County. The Hundred Club of Nashville P.O. Box 190428 Nashville, TN 37219 Phone: (615) 250-4234 Must be a resident of Nashville/Metro-Davidson County. Club pays debts owed at the time of death, plus funeral expenses. Kids' Chance of Tennessee Kathy Kirby-Smithson Cypress Care, Inc. 809 North Hampton Cove Franklin, Tennessee 37064 Phone: (615) 336-1956 E-mail: kathy.kirby@cypresscare.com