NCJ Number
222405
Date Published
2008
Length
27 pages
Annotation
This guide helps survivors of public safety officers who die in the line of duty and agencies understand the claim-filing and review processes of the newly enacted Hometown Heroes Survivors' Benefits Act and its provisions administered under the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program.
Abstract
The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program was created with the passing into law of the Public Safety Officers' Benefits Act in 1976. The PSOB Program provides death benefits in the form of a one-time financial payment to eligible survivors of public safety officers whose deaths are the direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. It also provides benefits to public safety officers who are permanently and totally disabled because of injuries sustained in the line of duty. In December 2003, the Hometown Heroes Survivors' Benefits Act became law. This legislation creates a presumption that a public safety officer who suffers a fatal heart attack or stroke up to 24 hours after on-duty, non-routine stressful or strenuous physical activity or training has died as a direct and proximate result of a personal injury sustained in the line of duty. This guidebook was developed for survivors who apply under the Hometown Heroes provisions. The guide is divided into five chapters: (1) the history of the PSOB Program, (2) understanding the Hometown Heroes Act, (3) how to apply, a step-by-step guide, (4) the review process, and (5) where to go for help.