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All of the benefit information below has been complied by COPS, a support group for police survivors.
Rev. 11/99
STATE OF PENNSYLVANIA
DEATH BENEFITS
To obtain certified copies of registered personal documents, contact Vital Statistics, 101 S.
Mercer, P. O. Box 1528, New Castle, PA 16101, phone (412) 656-3126.
STATE DEATH BENEFITS
The State of Pennsylvania will pay a minimum of $50,000 to the surviving spouse. If there is
no spouse then payment goes to minor children, if any, then to parent or parents if there are no
children. This amount is adjusted annually to reflect the annual percentage change in the
Consumer Price Index.
Contact the Bureau of Risk and Insurance Management, Department of General
Services, P.O. Box 1365, Harrisburg, PA 17105; (717) 787- 1768.
STATE PENSION BENEFITS
For members of the State Police Retirement System benefits include: Reduced pension after
10 years of service. Pension is based on 50 percent of the highest year salary after 20 years of
service, or at 75 percent of the highest year salary after 25 years of service.
Pension benefits were decided by the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association Collective
Bargaining Agreements with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Article 25, effective July
1, 1992, to June 30, 1995, and the State Employees' Retirement Code. For more information
contact the state Employees Retirement System, 30 North Street, P.O. Box 1147,
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania; (717) 787-6293, or call 800-633-5461 for membership
information.
For members of the Liquor Enforcement Officer Retirement System benefits include:
Reduced pension after 10 years of service. Unreduced pension if age 50 with at least three
years of service.
EDUCATION BENEFITS
Police Officer, Firefighter, Correction Employee, and National Guard Member Child
Beneficiary Education Act
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In late 1998, the General Assembly of Pennsylvania adopted House Bill #2024. This bill
provides for an educational gratuity for any child of a police officer, firefighter, correction
employee, or National Guard member killed in the performance of his or her duties provided
the child is 25 years of age or younger at the time of application for participation in this
program, meets all admission requirements of the community college or State-owned or Staterelated
institution to which application is made and is enrolled as a full-time student at a
community college or State-owned or State-related institution. A child who is 25 years of age
or younger at the time of the child's application for participation in this program and who
meets all other eligibility requirements may receive an educational gratuity for up to five
years provided the child otherwise continues to be eligible for participation.
Scope of Benefit
1. The benefit available under this section shall be provided only for full-time students who
are pursuing undergraduate studies leading to an associate degree or a baccalaureate
degree.
2. A child becomes eligible for this benefit after he or she has applied for available
scholarships and Federal and State grants to cover tuition and room and board costs. The
child must provide a record of application for such financial aid to the community college
or State-owned or State related institution to which he or she is applying.
3. A community college or a State-owned or State-related insitution shall waive all
remaining tuition and room and board charges (total tuition, room and board and fees
minus awarded scholarships and Federal and State grants) for an eligible child during the
time the child is enrolled as a full-time student, provided the child meets all requirements
for admission to the community college or State-owned or State-related institution and
during the child's enrollment complies with all requirements of the institution for
continued attendance and award of an associate degree or baccalaureate degree.
Administration
1. Applications for an educational gratuity shall be submitted to the Pennsylvania Higher
Education Assistance Agency (PHEAA) by the child or the surviving parent or guardian
of the child, together with a certified copy of the child's birth certificate or adoption record
or other documentation of birth or adoption acceptable to PHEAA. The application shall
include a copy of the child's letter of acceptance at a community college or a State-owned
or State-related institution.
2. Within 30 days of receipt of a completed application, PHEAA shall send written notice to
the child and the community college or State-owned or State-related institution of the
child's eligibility or non-eligibility for participation in this program.
3. Upon receipt of notification of the child's eligibility from PHEAA, a community college or
a State-owned or State-related institution is prohibited from charging the child or the
child's parent or guardian any tuition fee or room and board charge. If moneys have been
received by the community college or the State-owned or State-related institution for these
purposes, those moneys must be refunded in full within 30 days of receipt by the
institution of the notice of the child's eligibility.
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Retroactivity
This act shall be retroactive to January 1, 1976, and the benefit provided shall be available to
qualified children of police officers, firefighters, correction employees, and National Guard
members of this Commonwealth killed in the performance of their duties since that date. No
community college, State-owned or State-related institution shall reimburse qualified children
for tuition and fees or room and board charges paid between January 1, 1976, and the
effective date of this act.
PHEAA OFFICES-Contact the appropriate location for more information and an application.
Western Pennsylvania Central Pennsylvania
C.A. (Jim) Cardinale Bruce Diefenderfer
Wallace Building Dickinson College
41 Macek Drive 5 N. Orange Street
Pittsburgh, PA 15227-3638 Carlisle, PA 17013-2213
412-881-5279 phone 717-245-0062 phone
412-881-2891 fax 717-245-0633 fax
Daniel Johnston Daniel Hudock
Penn State University 460 Market Street
147 Shenango Ave.-PO Box 692 Suite 119
Sharon, PA 16146-0692 Williamsport, PA 17701-6323
724-347-5891 phone 717-323-7001 phone
724-983-5021 fax 717-327-3784 fax
Eastern Pennsylvania
Cheryl Mobley-Stimpson Thomas O'Donnell
JFK Center, 5th Floor, Rm 512 King's College
734 Schuylkill Ave. Box 1673
Philadelphia, PA 19146-2397 Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711-0801
215-735-2877 phone 507-826-1476 phone
215-560-6953 fax 717-820-4967 fax
Benefit for Troopers
An education benefit available is from the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association
Scholarship Fund. It pays for tuition and fees payment of $750 per semester or up to $1,500
per academic year, whichever is less. This provides scholarship assistance to State-related
schools for dependents of Troopers killed in the line of duty.
This educational assistance was decided by the Pennsylvania State Trooper Association
Collective Bargaining Agreements with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, Article 17,
effective July 1, 1992, to June 30, 1995.
Contact Pennsylvania State Police, Department Headquarters, 1800 Elmerton Avenue,
Harrisburg, PA 17110, telephone (717) 772-6935.
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HEALTH BENEFITS
State Police Survivor benefits: Eligible dependents of State Police members retain Blue
Cross, Blue Shield, Major Medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, doctor office visit and
emergency counseling and referral benefits for a period of five years after a member is killed
in the line of duty. A spouse loses the benefits if they remarry within the five year period.
The health benefits were voted on by the Pennsylvania State Troopers Association Collective
Bargaining Agreements with the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania effective July 1, 1992, to
June 30, 1995.
For additional information contact the Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters, 1800
Elmerton Avenue, Harrisburg, PA 17110; or call (717) 772-6935.
Health Benefits are also available to survivors of a Liquor Enforcement Officer. Blue
Cross, Blue Shield, Major Medical or Health Maintenance Organization coverage and vision,
dental, hearing aids and prescription drug coverages. A spouse and eligible dependents of a
Liquor Enforcement Officer who dies as a result of a work-related accident continues until the
spouse remarries or becomes eligible for coverage under another employer's health plan.
At the Fraternal Order of Police Conference of Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board Lodges,
Liquor Law Enforcement Unit, proposed Agreement with the Commonwealth to be effective
July 1, 1993, to June 30, 1996. Contact the Pennsylvania State Police Headquarters.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' Compensation coverage is compulsory for employers in Pennsylvania.
Death Benefit: Burial expense not exceeding $3,000 paid directly to the undertaker or to the
widow(er) with paid receipt.
Survivor's benefits are payable as follows if death results substantially from a work-related
injury and if the death occurs within 300 weeks after the injury.
(1) Widow or Dependent Widower
(A) Widow or dependent widower with no child(ren) will
receive 51% of employee's wages, but not in excess of
Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
(B) Widow or dependent widower and one child will receive
60% of employee's wages, but not in excess of Statewide
Average Weekly Wage.
(C) Widow or dependent widower and two or more children
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will receive 66 2/3% of employee's wages, but not in
excess of Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
(D) Widow will continue to receive benefits until death, or
remarriage. Two-year lump sum payable to widows upon
remarriage and weekly benefits cease.
(E) Dependent widower will continue to receive benefits until
death, remarriage, or until becoming self-supporting.
(2) Children
(A) If there is one dependent surviving child (s)he is entitled
to receive 32% of employee's wage but not in excess of
Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
(B) If there are two children they are entitled to receive 42% of
employee's wage but not in excess of Statewide Average
Weekly Wage.
(C) If there are three children they are entitled to receive 52%
of employee's wage but not in excess of Statewide Average
Weekly Wage.
(D) If there are four children they are entitled to receive 62% of
employee's wages but not in excess of Statewide Average
Weekly Wage.
(E) If there are five children they are entitled to receive 64% of
employee's wages but not in excess of Statewide Average
Weekly Wage.
(F) If there are six or more children they are entitled to receive
66 2/3% of employee's wages but not in excess of
Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
(G) Children are entitled to receive benefits until death or age
18 or beyond age 18 if dependent due to disability or until
age 23 while full-time student.
(3) Dependent parents (one or both) if no one entitled under (1) or (2).
(A) Totally dependent parents are entitled to receive 52% of
employee's wages but not in excess of the Statewide
Average Weekly Wage.
(B) Partially dependent parents are entitled to receive 32% of
employees' wages but not in excess of the Statewide
Average Weekly Wage.
(C) Benefits to continue until death or remarriage of parent or
parents.
(4) Dependent brothers or sisters if no one entitled under (1), (2), or (3).
(A) 22% of wages for one brother or sister and
(B) 5% for each additional with maximum of 32% of wages
not to exceed Statewide Average Weekly Wage.
(C) Benefits will continue until death or age 18 unless
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Rev. 11/99
dependent due to disability.
To receive workers' compensation benefits the surviving spouse must take the initiative and
file a workers' compensation claim through a workers' compensation attorney to receive any
compensation. The determination as to whether the claim will be paid will be determined by
the Workers' Compensation Appeals Board.
Contact the Bureau of Workers' Compensation, State Labor and Industry Department,
1171 S. Cameron, Room 103, Harrisburg, PA 17104-2501, telephone (717) 783-5421.
PERSONAL LIFE POLICIES
Group Life Insurance Program
(pertinent to State Police members and Liquor Enforcement officers).
The benefit is equal to annual salary rounded to the nearest $1,000, maximum of $40,000.
Benefit amount is adjusted January 1st of each year.
A line-of-duty death is not required for this insurance to be effective. Benefit is also paid in
the case of officers who succumb to heart-related causes.
Contact the Department of General Services, Bureau of Risk and Insurance
Management.
Descent and Distribution: Real and personal property in excess of share of surviving spouse,
or all such property if no surviving spouse, or all such property if no surviving spouse, passes
as follows, each class of which member is living taking to exclusion of subsequent classes.
(1) Issue of decedent. See also topic Adoption.
(2) Parents (including adopting parents).
(3) Brothers and sisters, or their issue.
(4) Grandparents as follows: if at least one grandparent survives,
then one-half to paternal grandparents or grandparent, or if both
dead, to children of each and children of deceased children of
each and one-half to maternal grandparents or grandparent, or if
both are dead, to children of each and children of deceased
children of each. If both paternal or both maternal grandparents
are dead leaving no child or grandchild surviving decedent, then
half passing to them is added to half passing to other
grandparents.
(5) Uncles, aunts and children and grandchildren of deceased uncles
and aunts.
(6) In default of all such persons, then to the Commonwealth. Share
passing to any such persons are divided into as many equal
shares as there shall be persons in nearest degree of
consanguinity to decedent living and taking share therein and
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Rev. 11/99
persons in that degree who have died and left issue who take
shares therein and persons in that degree who have died and left
issue who take shares therein. One share passes to each such
living person and one share per stripes to such issue, except that
grandchildren of aunts and uncles do not share if there are any
relatives as close as living children of aunts and uncles. Where
all persons entitled are in same degree of consanguinity, they
take equally. Rights of inheritance are conditioned on
survivorship by five days.
Surviving spouse takes as follows: $30,000 plus one-half balance if decedent is survived by
issue, all of whom are issue of surviving spouse, or parent; one-half if decedent is survived by
issue, not all of whom are issue of surviving spouse; all if decedent is not survived by issue or
parent. No spouse who has willfully refused and maliciously deserted spouse for like
period, can claim any right to decedent's estate.
No parent who has willfully neglected or deserted, or failed to support his or her child
for one year or more prior to child's death can claim any right to child's estate.
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
Established in 1984, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS), is a national, non-profit
organization that works with law enforcement agencies, police organizations, mental health
professional, and local peer-support organizations to provide assistance to surviving families
of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. COPS has become a "lifeline" to police
survivors nationwide. In the Philadelphia area, for more information or to find out about
meeting dates and times contact Mr. Eric Derenzis, Chapter Director, Philadelphia COPS,
4613 Devereaux, Philadelphia, PA 19135, telephone (215) 953-8077, E-mail:
PhilaCOPS@aol.com.
Statewide Psychological Support Programs
Member Assistance Program (MAP): The MAP assists personnel of the Pennsylvania
State Police and their immediate families who are experiencing personal, emotional,
psychological or related medical problems. The program provides information, confidential
assistance and, when appropriate, referral to professional and/or community resources.
Victims Compensation Program
The following Acts, in part, constitute the Victim/Witness Assistance Program:
1. Act 114 of 1979 - Notification Responsibilities of Local Law
Enforcement Agencies.
2. Act 187 of 1980 - Victim/Witness Intimidation Statute.
3. Act 96 of 1984 - Crime Victims' Compensation Act.
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Rev. 11/99
These acts establish policy and provide guidelines regarding assistance for victims/witnesses
of criminal activity.
State Memorial for Law Enforcement
A granite memorial bearing the names of all State Police members killed in the line of duty is
on display at the State Police Academy, Hershey, Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania State FOP
The State Lodge will pay $500 to spouses of deceased members.
All of the benefit information above has been complied by COPS, a support group for police survivors.
Contact the National Office of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. for additional information, or to support any of COPS' programs.
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Web site copyrighted © 2005 by Lydia Warner Miller