| Death |
Workers Compensation:
Employee definition includes all members of volunteer fire departments while they are performing duties as a volunteer and while engaged in organized drills, training, and practice necessary to perform their duties. The rate of compensation of persons accidentally killed or injured while serving as a volunteer firefighter shall be at the maximum rate. Benefit is 2/3 of the maximum rate at time of death. Benefits subject to Social Security benefit offsets. Two-year lump sum payable on remarriage, after which benefits cease. Children compensated until age 18, or longer if disabled and incapable of self-support or until age 21 if full-time students.
Contact: Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation. 633 17th Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202. Phone: (303) 318-8700 or 1-888-390-7936. www.coworkforce.com
Funeral:
Maximum burial allowance is $7,000. Volunteers may also receive an additional funeral benefit of not less than $100.
Contact: Colorado Division of Workers' Compensation. 633 17th Street, Suite 400, Denver, CO 80202. Phone: (303) 318-8700 or 1-888-390-7936. www.coworkforce.com
Pension:
Volunteer firefighters may now receive benefits under the Volunteer Fire Fighters Pension Act if the municipality chooses. For those firefighters who do receive these benefits, the surviving spouse is eligible for monthly benefits of 40% to 50% of the annual base salary depending on the number of dependent children. Children receive benefits until age 19, if unmarried; age 23 if unmarried and full-time student; no age limit if incapable of self-support. If survivors become eligible for benefits after October 15, 2002, the surviving spouse, with or without children, will receive 70% of the monthly base salary being paid to the member immediately preceding death.
Contact: Fire and Police Pension Association of Colorado. 5290 DTC Parkway, Suite 100, Greenwood Village, CO 80111. Phone: (303) 770-3772 or 800-332-3772. www.fppaco.org
Child's Education:
Benefit covers tuition and on-campus room and board at state-funded colleges or universities toward first bachelor's degree or certificate of completion. Benefits may not extend beyond six years of the date of enrollment. When attending a private Colorado institution, the student is eligible for the amount charged at a comparable state college or university. At an out-of-state institution, student eligible for tuition equivalent to that at a comparable Colorado public institution. To remain eligible, student must achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above, based on a scale of 4.0.
Contact: Colorado Commission on Higher Education, Colorado Dependents Tuition Assistance Program. 1380 Lawrence Street, Suite 1200, Denver, CO 80204-2059. Phone: (303) 866-2723. www.state.co.us/cche
Spouse's Education:
None.
Support Organizations:
The Hundred Club of Colorado Springs
PO Box 64
Colorado Springs, CO 80901
(719) 633-7733
Offers financial assistance to spouse and children. Family given between $5,000 and $7,500, as needed, for payment of bills, credit card balances, housing expenses, funeral costs, etc. Limited to El Paso County.
The Hundred Club of Denver
PO Box 5611
Denver, CO 80217-5611
(303) 331-6248
Provides one-time $5,000 contribution immediately after death. Will assess family needs and could offer financial assistance ranging up to $100,000 based on need. Trust funds provide scholarships to children. Only for Denver metropolitan area.
The Hundred Club of Durango
PO Box 3146
Durango, CO 81301
(970) 259-1000
Within first 24 hours, provides family with a $1,000 donation. Takes care of all family bills except the mortgage. Allots $2,000 per year for scholarships for each dependent attending a regional college. Covers survivors of fallen firefighters from Durango and Bayfield, and La Plata County.
The Hundred Club of Pueblo
c/o The Minnequa Bank
North Avenue and Evans
Pueblo, CO 81005
(719) 545-3125
Provides immediate financial assistance and works with department to determine if further assistance needed. Only for families living in Pueblo. |
