Michigan

One-Time:
None.

 

Workers Compensation:
The benefit is 80% of the state average weekly wage at the time of injury for spouse or spouse with children under age 21. Weekly minimum and maximum amount is available for up to 500 weeks. The spousal benefit is terminated upon remarriage. If a firefighter is killed while safeguarding life or property outside his or her jurisdiction from damage due to an explosion, fire, or other disaster or in transport to the same, the surviving spouse and children are entitled to assistance. They shall receive $500 to defray burial expenses and compensation equivalent to the amount provided at the time of death under the worker's disability compensation act.

Contact: Bureau of Workers' Disability Compensation. PO Box 30016, 7150 Harris Drive, Lansing, MI 48909. Phone: (517) 322-1296 or (800) 638-3995.

 

Funeral:
Maximum burial allowance of $6,000 or actual costs, whichever is less.

Contact: Bureau of Workers' Disability Compensation. PO Box 30016, 7150 Harris Drive, Lansing, MI 48909. Phone: (517) 322-1296 or (800) 638-3995.

 

Pension:
Under Firefighters and Police Officers Retirement Act, the spouse receives a pension of the same amount as that which has been paid as a weekly benefit under Workers' Compensation. Pension becomes payable upon the termination of the Workers' Compensation and continues for spouse?s life or until remarriage. Dependent children receive pension of same amount as they received under Workers' Compensation when that payment ceased. Payment to unmarried children continues until age 18.

Under Municipal Employees' Retirement System (MERS) of Michigan, payment to spouse shall not be less than 25% of the member?s final average compensation. Surviving child's allowance shall not be less than an equal share of 25% of the member's final average compensation. If the municipality has adopted Benefit Program D-2, the allowance shall not be less than the amount computed as if the member had acquired an additional 10 years of service not to exceed a total of 30 years of credited service. Remarriage of the spouse does not end eligibility to receive pension. Unmarried children are eligible until age 21.

Contact: Municipal Employees' Retirement System. 1134 Municipal Way, Lansing, MI 48917. Phone: (517) 703-9030 or (800) 767-6377. www.mersofmich.com.

 

Child's Education:
Death must have been result of traumatic injury. The benefit provides tuition waiver at public community and junior colleges and state universities for classes leading to a certificate or undergraduate degree. Child must be under 21 at time of initial application for benefit. Family income, excluding income from death benefits, must be below 400% of the federal poverty level. Dependent must be a legal resident of Michigan for at least twelve months preceding application. Available for a maximum of 9 semesters.

Contact: Survivor Tuition Program, Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. 7426 North Canal Road, Lansing, MI 48913. Phone: (517) 322-1417.

 

Spouse's Education:
Death must have been result of traumatic injury. The benefit provides tuition waiver at public community and junior colleges and state universities for classes leading to a certificate or undergraduate degree. Family income, excluding income from death benefits, must be below 400% of the federal poverty level. Dependent must be a legal resident of Michigan for at least twelve months preceding application. Available for a maximum of 9 semesters.

Contact: Survivor Tuition Program, Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards. 7426 North Canal Road, Lansing, MI 48913. Phone: (517) 322-6627.

 

Support Organizations:
The Hundred Club of Detroit
1717 South Dort Highway
Flint, MI 48503
(800) 373-4103
Provides benefit to spouse or to parents if deceased not married. Savings bonds to children on each birthday through age 18. Scholarships for spouses and dependent children.

Hundred Club of Flint
5607 New King Street
Troy, MI 48098
(248)696-2001
Provides $3,000 lump sum and savings bond to children under 18 at Christmas.

The William S. Martens Hundred Club Fund of Grand Rapids
161 Ottawa Avenue, NW #209-C
Grand Rapids, MI 49503-2757
(616) 454-1751, ext. 107
Provides $2,500 to family to use at its discretion. Limited to Kent County.

The Hundred Club of Lansing
P. O. Box 4251
East Lansing, MI 48826
(517) 394-4614

The One Hundred Club of Saginaw
P. O. Box 250
Freeland, MI 48623
(517) 695-5366
Provides $3,000 to family within first 24 hours following death. Survivor Committee meets with family to review finances. Club will provide additional help as needed, dependent upon available funds.

The Hundred Club of Troy
5807 New King Street
Troy, MI 48098 (248) 696-2001

Washtenaw One Hundred Club, Inc.
3135 S. State Street, Suite 208
Ann Arbor, MI 48108
(734)475-2892
Provides immediate cash assistance and scholarships for children.

Michigan firefighters must be covered by workers' compensation. The amount of the award is based on the state average wage and the severity and permanence of the injury.

Contact: Bureau of Workers' & Unemployment Compensation. PO Box 30016, Lansing, Michigan 48909. Phone: 1-888-396-5041.

 

Michigan Unemployment Insurance Agency, PO Box 169, Grand Rapids, MI 49501-0169.