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Workers Compensation:
Each member registered as an active firefighter of any regularly organized volunteer fire department having official recognition and full or partial support of its local government is considered an employee for purposes of workers' compensation. This entitles eligible volunteer firefighters to receive compensation from the local government. If a volunteer firefighter dies while performing duties, then, irrespective of remuneration from this or other employment or from both, the average earnings shall be taken as the maximums fixed for each. This amount is then used to compute the actual benefit, which depends on the number of dependents. Current benefits for one dependent are $125,000; for three or more dependents it is $160,000. Effective January 1, 2006, the range increases from $250,000 for one total dependent to a maximum of $320,000 for three or more dependents. Payments are provided in installments or lump sum.
Contact: California Department of Workers' Compensation. 455 Golden Gate Ave., 2nd Floor, PO Box 429003, San Francisco, CA 94102. Phone: (415) 703-5011. www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/dwc_home_page.htm.
Funeral:
Maximum burial allowance of $5,000 through Workers' Compensation.
Contact: California Department of Workers' Compensation. 455 Golden Gate Ave., 2nd Floor, PO Box 429003, San Francisco, CA 94102. Phone: (415) 703-5011. www.dir.ca.gov/dwc/dwc_home_page.htm.
Pension:
Benefits for survivors of firefighters who were members of the California Public Employees Retirement System (CalPERS) include Group Term Life Insurance and a special death benefit. Group Term Life Insurance provides survivor of firefighter with a tax-free, lump-sum benefit of $5,000. For members with less than 20 years of State service, benefit is $5,000 plus an amount equal to six months pay. Special Death Benefit for a spouse of a State or Local Firefighter who died in performance of duties as a result of an accident or injury. Benefit may provide a monthly allowance equal to 50% of firefighter's final compensation. Allowance may increase to a maximum of 75% of final compensation based on the number of unmarried children under age 22 and if external violence or physical force caused duty-related death. This additional benefit ceases when child marries or reaches age 22. Spouse may also elect other types of death benefits. Employer continues health benefits under same terms and conditions for spouse and for children under age 21 if firefighter died in performance of duties as a result of accident or injury. If survivor elects lump sum payment, this health benefit does not apply. Legislation passed in 2002 protects survivors of CalPERS members from an interruption in health benefit coverage. This provision covers family members who were validly enrolled in an approved health benefits plan at the date of the firefighter's death. The firefighter's agency is required to continue to pay the employer's contribution for a specified period.
Contact: CalPERS. Lincoln Plaza North, 400 Q Street, Sacramento, CA 95814. Phone: (888) 225-7377. www.calpers.ca.gov
Survivors of a firefighter who died in the line of duty are entitled to state-funded health benefits if the employer contribution did not cover 100% of the cost of health-care premiums. The employer of the fallen firefighter must notify the Board of Administration of the Public Employees' Retirement System, which will then determine eligibility. The Worker's Compensation Appeals Board will resolve any disputes regarding whether the cause of death was duty-related.
Child's Education:
No mandatory fees or tuition are required by the Regents of the University of California, the Board of Directors of the Hastings College of the Law, or the Trustees of the California State University System. This benefit applies to the spouse or children of a public safety officer killed in the performance of active fire suppression and prevention. The law was expanded in 2002 to include fee waivers at the California community college level. These educational benefits available to survivors if the firefighter died in the performance of fire suppression and prevention duties, was an employee of a public agency, and was a resident of California. This would include Federal firefighters if they met the criteria listed above. Eligibility must be consistent with the findings of the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board.
The Trustees of the California State University may enter into reciprocal agreements with other universities or colleges within the state. This would allow qualified students to attend other universities or colleges without payment of some or all fees or tuition or both. The Trustees may enter into similar reciprocal agreements with public colleges and universities in other states.
Contact: Students must tell the college or university they plan to attend that they are the survivor of a firefighter killed in the line of duty and that they qualify under Sections 68120-68124 of the California Education Code.
The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents (LEPD) Grant Program provides educational grants to each dependent or spouse of a California firefighter killed in the performance of duty or who dies or is totally disabled in a duty-related accident or injury. Grant shall be in an amount equal to that provided a student awarded a Cal Grant Scholarship. Awards may be used for tuition and fees, books, supplies, and living expenses.
Section 4709 of the Labor Code prohibits proceeds of death benefits received by a dependent of a firefighter killed or disabled in the line of duty from being included when determining financial need for an LEPD grant.
Contact: California Student Aid Commission, Student Services Division. PO Box 419027, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027. Phone: (888) 224-7268. www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/g-187.pdf.
Spouse's Education:
No mandatory fees or tuition are required by the Regents of the University of California, the Board of Directors of the Hastings College of the Law, or the Trustees of the California State University System. This benefit applies to the spouse or children of a public safety officer killed in the performance of active fire suppression and prevention. The law was expanded in 2002 to include fee waivers at the California community college level. These educational benefits available to survivors if the firefighter died in the performance of fire suppression and prevention duties, was an employee of a public agency, and was a resident of California. This would include Federal firefighters if they met the criteria listed above. Eligibility must be consistent with the findings of the Worker's Compensation Appeals Board.
The Trustees of the California State University may enter into reciprocal agreements with other universities or colleges within the state. This would allow qualified students to attend other universities or colleges without payment of some or all fees or tuition or both. The Trustees may enter into similar reciprocal agreements with public colleges and universities in other states.
Contact: Students must tell the college or university they plan to attend that they are the survivor of a firefighter killed in the line of duty and that they qualify under Sections 68120-68124 of the California Education Code.
Contact: California Student Aid Commission, Student Services Division. PO Box 419027, Rancho Cordova, CA 95741-9027. Phone: (888) 224-7268. www.csac.ca.gov/pubs/forms/grnt_frm/g-187.pdf.
Support Organizations:
Martin C. Kauffman One Hundred Club of Alameda County
Post Office Box 2687
Fremont, CA 94536-0687
(510) 818-0337
Contact directly for information on benefits.
The Hundred Club of Contra Costa
PO Box 773
Danville, CA 94526
(925) 652-8725
$10,000 directly to the spouse within 48 hours. Funds available for scholarships for the children and for retraining of the spouse. The spouse, dependent or beneficiary of any current police or fire employee is eligible to receive benefits from this fund.
The Hundred Club of Los Angeles
Ronald Stackler
c/o Hatton, Petrie & Stackler, LLP
6786 Shearwater Lane
Malibu, CA 90265
(310) 589-0902
e-mail: RES@PIXELGATE.NET
Serves Los Angeles City and Los Angeles, Orange, and Ventura Counties. Contact directly for information
The Hundred Club of Palm Springs
255 N. El Cielo Road,#300
Palm Springs, CA 92262
(760) 327-1417
Provides financial aid and scholarships as needed.
The Hundred Club of San Mateo County
1611 Borel Place
San Mateo, CA 94402
(650) 341-7497
Provides immediate financial assistance. Offers scholarships for children as needed. Offers support in San Mateo County only. | 
