Updated: December 2007

One-time Death Benefit The West Virginia Fire and EMS Survivor Benefits Act was passed on March 3, 2007. It provides a $50,000 one time death benefit for firefighters and EMTs - career, volunteer and part-paid. Contact: Office of the Governor 1900 Kanawha Blvd. East Charleston, WV 25305 --- Toll Free: (888) 438-2731 --- Website: www.wvgov.org (Reference: House Bill 2801 passed on 03/10/2007) Workers' Compensation Spousal benefit is 70% of the employee's average weekly wages. Minimum and maximum amounts apply. Upon remarriage, spousal benefit is terminated. Children are considered dependent until age 18, age 25 if full-time student at an accredited school, or longer to an invalid child if incapable of self-support. Volunteer firefighters: All volunteer departments are considered employers and are required to subscribe to the state fund and pay premiums for the protection of their employees. If the firefighter had no other source of employment, the benefit rate is the state minimum. Contact: Workers' Compensation Division P.O. Box 50540 Charleston, WV 25338-0540 (304) 558-3386 (888) 879-9842 Website: www.wvinsurance.gov/wc/index.htm (Reference: West Virginia Code Chapter 23) Funeral Benefit Maximum of $5,000 for burial expenses. Contact: Workers' Compensation Division P.O. Box 50540 Charleston, WV 25338-0540 (304) 558-3386 (888) 879-9842 Website: www.wvinsurance.gov/wc/index.htm (Reference: West Virginia Code Chapter 23) Retirement/Pension Plan Career firefighters: Must be a member of the West Virginia Public Employees Retirement System to receive benefits. If the firefighter is in a permanent, full-time position, participation in a retirement plan is mandatory. If the firefighter has 10 or fewer years of service, a lump sum distribution of employee contributions and interest is made to the beneficiary. If the firefighter has more than 10 years of service and a surviving spouse, the spouse will receive an annuity for life computed under Option A of the plan. If the firefighter has 10 or more years of service and is not married, benefits are payable to dependent children until they marry, reach age 21, or become emancipated. Or, Contact the local department benefit's officer if a member was not part of the WV-PERS as several of the larger cities provide independent retirement systems. Contact: State of West Virginia Consolidated Public Retirement Board 4101 MacCorkle Avenue, SE Charleston, WV 25305 (304) 558-3570 (800) 654-4406 Website: www.wvretirement.com Education Benefit - Children Tuition waived and some fees covered at state institutions of higher learning. Covers full-time undergraduate education for no more than four years. Contact: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission 1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700 Charleston, WV 25301 (304) 558-2101 (Reference: West Virginia Code § 18B-10) Education Benefit - Spouse Tuition waived and some fees covered at state institutions of higher learning. Covers full-time undergraduate education for no more than four years. Contact: West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission 1018 Kanawha Boulevard East, Suite 700 Charleston, WV 25301 (304) 558-2101 Non-Profit or Private Organizations The Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation 1800 Huntington Square, 900 Lee Street East Charleston, WV 25301 (304) 346-3820 (800) 467-5909 Website: www.tgkvf.org The Kids' Chance of West Virginia, administered by the Greater Kanawha Valley Foundation, is designed to provide scholarships to children ages 16-25 whose parent has been fatally injured in a WV work-related accident or whose parent is currently receiving Permanent Total Disability benefits from the WV Workers Compensation Division. The scholarship recipients are chosen based on academic performance, leadership abilities, and demonstrated and potential contributions to school and community.