Contacts After Death for Benefits 

1. Florida Retirement System: Survivor Benefits Section @ 1-844-377-1888 

Will need to provide your SS# and/or SS# for firefighter who passed. They will tell you what option the firefighter selected which determines the benefits to the beneficiary. 

In addition, if the firefighter was employed July 11, 2011 and after and they chose Option 1, you may be eligible to request a Contribution Refund for the portion the employee contributed since July 1, 2011. 

FRS Survivor Benefits Guide 

FRS Survivor Financial Counseling 1-866-446-9377 Option 2 

2. Social Security 1-800-772-1213 

https://www.ssa.gov/planners/survivors/howtoapply.html 

Need to call and report death and their SS# 

3. Local 2928 561-969-0729 

Membership services membershipservices@iaff2928.com 

Benefits for union members only. 

4. Firefighter Employee Benefits Fund (Insurance) 561-969- 6663 

Contact Rick Rhodes (Benefits Administrator) RRhodes@myffbenefits.com 

Or Tamara Fitzpatrick (Customer Service) Tamara@myffbenefits.com There may be retiree death benefits through the insurance fund as listed and attached page, and if so, they can advise you as to the amount. They will need a copy of an original death certificate with cause. 

5. If the firefighter had cancer, there are benefits that may be applicable. See the attached flyer for more information. 

If the member died of an approved list of cancers, the IAFF Union has an annual ceremony in Colorado Springs each year in September where the member’s name is added to the Fallen Firefighter Memorial. Local 2928 helps pay for family members to be present for this event. For more information contact: SpecialProjects@iaff2928.com 

Florida also has a similar memorial service in Ocala. 

https://www.myfloridacfo.com/division/sfm/bfst/florida-fallen-firefighter-memorial 

6. Some  members had Aflac additional rider insurance, 1-800-992-3522. 

7. Veterans Benefits 

Many firefighters may have been a veteran with the armed services and they may provide burial expenses and benefits to the surviving spouse. 

https://www.benefits.va.gov/compensation/claims-special-burial.asp 

https://www.va.gov/burials-memorials/veterans-burial-allowance/ 

8. PEER Support 

Provides support for emotional, mental wellness for firefighters, spouses and family. Completely confidential. 1-855-459-7337 PEER@IAFF2928.com 

PBCFR Emergency Assistance Personnel 561-968-1505 EAP@PBCFREAP.COM 

Other Helpful  

Websites: 

https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/magazine/2012/10/what-to-do-when-a-loved-one-dies/index.htm 

https://www.aarp.org/home-family/friends-family/info-06-2012/when-loved-one-dies-checklist.html 

Are You An Active or Retired Firefighter

Diagnosed with Cancer?

Effective July 1, 2019, section 112.1816, Florida Statutes, the Firefighters; Cancer Diagnosis 

law was enacted.  This law provides benefits the firefighter or their beneficiary to receive:

The 21 covered cancers are:

Bladder cancer                        Brain cancer                            Breast cancer

Cervical cancer                        Colon cancer                           Esophageal cancer

Invasive skin cancer                Kidney cancer                         Large intestinal cancer

Lung cancer                             Malignant melanoma             Mesothelioma

Multiple myeloma                  Non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma      Oral cavity/pharynx cancer

Ovarian cancer                        Prostate cancer                       Rectal cancer

Stomach cancer                      Testicular cancer                     Thyroid cancer

Additional criteria:

• Firefighter has been employed by his or her employer for at least 5 continuous years, has not used tobacco products for at least the preceding 5 years, and has not been employed in any other position in the preceding 5 years which is proven to create a higher risk for any cancer.
• Retired Firefighters are eligible one-time 25K payout upon diagnosis up to 10 years after retirement date.
• Retired firefighters are eligible for out-of-pocket healthcare cost reimbursement by PBCFR for up to 10 years after retirement date, if the firefighter continues coverage in the employer-sponsored health plan (Firefighter Employee Benefit Fund) or group health insurance trust fund after he or she retires.  

http://www.pbcfr-retiree.org/CancerMemo.jpg

Firefighter Cancer Benefits Palm Beach County Fire Rescue is currently working to improve the experiences for firefighters and fire investigators who may be diagnosed with cancer. Pursuant to F.S. §112.1816, there are currently 21 enumerated cancers that are eligible for cancer benefits. These benefits are provided as an alternative to Workers’ Compensation benefits.

This process is potentially overwhelming and may elicit a myriad of emotions. Palm Beach County Fire Rescue’s Executive Staff has a vested interest in supporting any employee through their times of need and particularly through this process.

Below are links to help understand the current process. Rest assured that the Executive Staff is working tirelessly to improve this process and the information available to our employees.

Florida Statute §112.1816 Firefighter Cancer Statutes & Constitution :View Statutes : Online Sunshine (state.fl.us) Tristar Claims Center 866-778-0088 Option 5 for Firefighter Cancer Claims

Your call will be routed to a representative from Tristar who will gather information and begin the claim process. You will need to provide your Social Security Number or Employee ID Number and this will allow personal data to be automatically populated through an agreement between Tristar and PBC. Your case will then be assigned to a case manager who will follow your claim and will be in direct contact with you.

In the event you need assistance please feel free to reach out to Division Chief of Wellness and Engagement Charlie Coyle, Captain Will Barbre, or Captain Leilani Kamalu. PBCFR Peer Support Team 24/7 Hotline 1-855-459-7337 Email: peer@iaff2928.com IAFF Local 2928 | Behavioral Health (iaff2928.com) Employee Assistance Program Bargaining Unit Employees Ellen Flaum 561-968-1565 –or- EAP_Provider_List.pdf (myffbenefits.com) BCC-Non-Bargaining Employees EAP 24/7- 1-888-887-4114 Dr. Marcy Weiss- 561-233-5465