Public Safety Officers" Benefits Program
Effective November 29, 1990, the Act also provides the same benefit to a public
The injury must permanently prevent the officer from performing any gainful work.
- PSOB National Firefighter Survivor Support
- BJA FY 16 PSOB National Law Enforcement Survivor Support
- BJA FY 12 Public Safety OfficersÂ’ Benefits (PSOB) National Law Enforcement Survivor Support
- BJA FY 11 Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) National Firefighter Survivor Support
- BJA FY 11 Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) National Firefighter Survivor Support
The Department of Justice enforces the law and defends the interest of the United States, ensuring public safety against threats foreign and domestic; providing Federal leadership in preventing and controlling crime; seeking just punishment for those guilty of unlawful pursuits; and ensuring fair and impartial administration of justice for all Americans.
Program Accomplishments
Fiscal Year 2008: In Fiscal Year 2006, PSOB developed an E-package. Using the E-package, PSOB program staff proactively email claim packages to public safety agencies when a public safety officer is either killed or becomes permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. All standard documents are available in English and Spanish. All PSOB applications are now web-based. Fiscal Year 2009: No Current Data Available Fiscal Year 2010: No Current Data Available
Uses and Use Restrictions
To provide a one-time financial death benefit to the eligible survivors of Federal, State or local public safety officers, and disability benefit to the Federal, State or local public safety officer whose permanent and total disability is the direct and proximate result of a catastrophic personal injury sustained in the line of duty.
There are no restrictions as to how the monies are spent once they reach the recipient with the exception that monies paid on behalf of minor children must be used for their care and benefit.
Eligibility Requirements
Applicant Eligibility
Individual/Family: Income Security/Social Service/Welfare
Beneficiary Eligibility
Individual/Family
Credentials/Documentation
Claim forms entitled "Claim for Death Benefits" and "Report of Public Safety Officer"s Death" or "Report of Public Safety Officers" Permanent and Total Disability," and supporting family, medical and investigative documentation. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-87.
Aplication and Award Process
Preapplication Coordination
Employing agencies and/or claimants should initiate a claim by writing to or telephoning the Public Safety Officers" Benefits Program, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20531.
Telephone: 1-888-744-6513.
Upon receiving such notification, program staff will provide claim forms and advise the employing agency and claimant of claim documentation requirements.
Environmental impact information is not required for this program.
This program is excluded from coverage under E.O.
12372.
Application Procedures
This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-102. This program is excluded from coverage under OMB Circular No. A-110. Submit "Claim for Death Benefits" and "Report of Public Safety Officer"s Death" or "Report of Public Safety Officers" Permanent and Total Disability," and supporting documentation to the Public Safety Officers" Benefits Program, Bureau of Justice Assistance, 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20531.
Award Procedures
Upon a finding of eligibility by the Bureau of Justice Assistance, eligible claimants are awarded a lump sum benefit. For Death Benefit: If the officer is survived by spouse, but there are no eligible children, the spouse will receive 100% of the benefit. If the officer is survived by spouse and eligible children, the spouse will receive 50% of the benefit and the children will receive equal shares of the remaining 50%. If the officer is survived by eligible children but no spouse, the children will receive equal shares of the benefit. If the officer is survived by neither a spouse, nor eligible children and did not have a life insurance policy on file with his or her employing agency, then the benefit will be made payable to the surviving parents in equal shares.
Deadlines
Contact the headquarters or regional office, as appropriate, for application deadlines.
Authorization
Public Safety Officers" Benefits Act of 1976, as amended (42 U.S.C. 3796, Section 1201, Public Law No. 90-351, part L of Title I of the Omnibus Crime Control and Safe Streets Act of 1968).
Range of Approval/Disapproval Time
Dependent on circumstances of death, sufficiency of claim documentation, and/or the need for expert medical reviews. This varies from case to case.
Appeals
Not Applicable.
Renewals
Not Applicable.
Assistance Considerations
Formula and Matching Requirements
This program has no statutory formula.
This program has no matching requirements.
This program does not have MOE requirements.
Length and Time Phasing of Assistance
None. Method of awarding/releasing assistance: lump sum.
Post Assistance Requirements
Reports
Audits
No audits are required for this program.
Records
None.
Financial Information
Account Identification
15-0403-0-1-754.
Obigations
(Direct Payments with Unrestricted Use) FY 08 $118,116,071; FY 09 est $55,000,000; FY 10 est $5,000,000
Range and Average of Financial Assistance
None.
Regulations, Guidelines, and Literature
Title 28, Code of Federal Regulations, Part 32.
Information Contacts
Regional or Local Office
None.
Headquarters Office
Valerie Neal 810 7th Street, NW, Washington, District of Columbia 20531 Email: AskPSOB@usdoj.gov Phone: (202) 616-6500 or 1-888-744-6513
Criteria for Selecting Proposals
Not Applicable.
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