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All of the benefit information below has been complied by COPS, a support group for police survivors.
Rev. 09/04
STATE OF GEORGIA
DEATH BENEFITS
To obtain certified copies of registered personal documents, contact Vital Records, 2600
Skyland Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30319-3640, telephone (404)679-4701.
STATE DEATH BENEFITS
Those employees eligible for death or permanent disability are law enforcement officers,
firefighters, prison guards, publicly employed emergency medical technicians, emergency
management rescue specialists, and members of the Georgia National Guard when called into
active state service by the Governor for law enforcement purposes. After determining that the
injured person or the estate of the deceased is entitled to the financial benefit, the
Indemnification Commission will issue an order authorizing payment.
All claim applications must be submitted within 24 months from the date on which the
permanent disability or death occurred. For part-time employees, claim applications must be
submitted with 12 months.
AMOUNT
The current benefit is $75,000 if elected in equal installments of $1,250 per month over a
five year period, or in a one-time payment this is reduced to its present value of $56,047 .
ELIGIBLE RECIPIENTS, HOW DECIDED
Designated Beneficiary or estate of the deceased. Probate papers must be filed with the
Indemnification Program Specialist before any payments are issued.
TAXABILITY
Indemnification payments shall not be considered taxable income under state law.
GEORGIA STATE INDEMNIFICATION PROGRAM
Following the 1976 ratification of a constitutional amendment, the Georgia General Assembly
established a program to provide for the indemnification of law enforcement officers,
firemen, prison guards, and publicly employed emergency medical technicians. The Georgia
State Indemnification Program recognizes that certain public servants, in providing their
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services to protect the public and its property, were facing situations more hazardous than
those faced by the ordinary citizen. The eight-member Georgia State Indemnification
Commission makes determinations as to public safety officers killed in the line of duty or
permanently disabled. Generally, "permanent disability" means a disability that occurred in
the line of duty such as blindness of both eyes, loss or loss of use of both hands or both legs,
loss of lower extremity which precludes locomotion without resort to a wheelchair, or organic
brain damage which precludes the ability to function productively in any employment.
SPECIAL NOTE: Public Safety officers must designate a beneficiary and changes should
be made in writing to the Indemnification Commission when warranted. Contact: Georgia
State Indemnification Commission, Ms. Sharon Stone, Indemnification Specialist, Floyd
Contract Station, PO Box 347118, Atlanta, GA 30334-4437, telephone (404)657-4437.
EDUCATION BENEFITS
GEORGIA LAW ENFORCEMENT PERSONNEL
DEPENDENTS GRANT
The Law Enforcement Personnel Dependents Grant (LEPD) provides non-repayment
grants of up to $2,000 per academic year to eligible Georgia residents who are the dependent
children of Georgia law enforcement officers, prison guards, or firemen, permanently disabled
or killed in the line of duty.
In addition to other eligibility requirements for state grant programs, the eligible dependent
must show substantial financial need and must be maintaining satisfactory progress in the
course of study being pursued at an approved school. The total grant amount shall not exceed
$8,000 during an entire program of study. Contact: Georgia Student Finance Authority,
2082 East Exchange Place, Suite 200, Tucker, GA 30084 (404) 493-5453.
KID'S CHANCE, INC.
Kid's Chance is a scholarship program designated to help children who have had a parent
killed or permanently disabled in a work-related accident. This nonprofit corporation was
formed by the Workman's Compensation Section of the State Bar of Georgia.
Scholarships are provided on the basis of need to children between the ages of 16 and 22
who qualify. Scholarships are issued for one year during which time a student must maintain
acceptable grades. The scholarships include the cost of books, tuition, and meals for high
school, college, or technical school. Contact: Robert M. Clyatt, Chairman of the Board,
Kid's Chance,Inc., 331 North Ashley Street, Valdosta, GA 31601 (912) 242-2520.
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ATLANTA BAR ASSOCIATION POLICE SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Established by the Atlanta Bar Association, the Police Scholarship Fund provides certain
scholarships to the children of Atlanta law enforcement officers. The scholarships may be
awarded to the children of officers killed or disabled in the line of duty or to the children of
officers killed or disabled other than in the line of duty.
The scholarships awarded are for education beyond the twelfth grade, including vocationaltechnical
schools, and shall not exceed $2,000 per year, nor an aggregate total of $8,000. A
scholarship commission appointed by the Atlanta Bar Association makes all such scholarship
determinations. Contact: Ms. Diane O'Steen, Executive Director, Atlanta Bar
Association, 2500 The Equitable Building, 100 Peachtree Street, Atlanta GA 30303 (404)
521-0781.
THE BURT REYNOLDS SCHOLARSHIP FUND
Established by the actor while filming a movie in Georgia, the Burt Reynolds Scholarship
Fund may provide educational scholarships to dependents of Georgia law enforcement
officers. One thousand ($1,000) to five thousand dollars ($5,000) per year may be awarded,
depending upon need. Contact: Mr. Nathaniel R. Goldston, Chairman, Burt Reynolds
Scholarship Fund, c/o Gourmet Services, Inc., 1100 Spring Street, Suite 450, Atlanta,
GA 30367, (404) 876-5700.
POLICE CORPS SCHOLARSHIP FUNDS
The Police Corps is administered by the Office of the Police Corps and Law Enforcement
Education (OPCLEE), within the Office of Justice Programs, US Department of Justice, in
partnership with participating States that have submitted an approved State Plan. Information
can be found at www.ojp.usdoj.gov/opclee.
The Police Corps awards scholarships and reimburses educational expenses to students who
agree to work in a State or local police force for at least four years. Students must pursue an
undergraduate or graduate degree in a course of study which, in the judgment of the State or
local police force to which the participant will be assigned, includes appropriate preparation
for police service. Police Corps funds cover education expenses (including tuition, fees,
books, supplies, transportation, room and board, and miscellaneous expenses) up to $7,500
per academic year, with a limit on total payments to any student of $30,000.
Police Corps scholarship funds are also available to dependent children of law
enforcement officers killed in the line of duty if the death occurred within the state after
that state was approved to participate in the Police Corps program. In Georgia, the
death must have occurred since April 1997. These scholarships may be applied to any
course of study, without any service or repayment obligation.
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Police Corps participants are selected on a competitive basis by each State under regulations
prescribed by OPCLEE.
For more information, contact: Robert Gaylor, Georgia Public Safety Training Center,
1-877-267-4630 (tollfree), fax 478-993-4560, or email bgaylor@gpstc.stat.ga.us, website
www.gapolicecorps.org/.
HEALTH BENEFITS
Varied depending upon police department benefits. Contact your Benefits Assistance
Officer.
WORKERS' COMPENSATION
Workers' Compensation coverage is compulsory for employers with 3 or more employees in
Georgia; however, waivers are allowed.
The Georgia Workers' Compensation Act provides an accident insurance program for medical,
rehabilitation, and income benefits for employees injured or killed on the job. Dependents of
public safety officers killed in the line of duty may receive two-thirds of the officers average
weekly wage or a maximum amount provided for by the General Assembly.
The employer of the worker is required to file a completed Employer's First Report of Injury
(WC-1). Contact: State Board of Workers' Compensation, Suite 1000, South Tower,
One CNN Center, Atlanta, GA 30303 (404) 656-3875.
DESIGNATED BENEFICIARY
Designated beneficiary will receive benefits. Estate will receive benefits if a beneficiary is
not designated, the payment will be made in a lump sum.
PERSONAL LIFE POLICY - INTESTATE
Descent and Distribution - Subject to rights of surviving spouse, realty descends and
personalty is distributed according to same rules of inheritance, which are as follows (54-4-1);
(1) Children stand in first degree from descendent and inherit equally, accounting for
advancements. Issue of deceased children stand in place of the latter and take per stirpes; (2)
Brothers and sisters of decedent stand in second degree and inherit if decedent left no widow,
or surviving husband or issue. Children or grandchildren of deceased brothers and sisters
stand in place of the latter, but there is no representation further than this among collateral. If
there are no surviving brothers or sisters, nephews and nieces take per capita; (3) Father and
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mother inherit equally with brothers and sisters and stand in same degree; (4) In all degrees
more remote than the foregoing paternal and maternal next of kin stand on equal footing; (5)
Grand- mothers and grandfathers stand next in degree; (6) Uncles and aunts stand next in
degree with children of deceased uncle or aunt inheriting in place of their parent; (7) First
cousins stand next in degree; (8) More remote degrees of kinship shall be determined by
counting steps from claimant to closest common ancestor and from said ancestor to intestate,
sum of two chains being degree of kinship. (53-4-2).
Year's Support - Widow, widower, and minor children are entitled to support from
estate for one year. (53-5-1,2). Surviving spouse of minor children may also apply for
additional year's support for each year estate left open if no debts to pay. (53-5-4).
Entitlement established by demonstrating applicant within one of classes intended
beneficiaries. Year's support for family is preferred over all other debts unless otherwise
specifically provided. Notice of application for support must be sent to representative of
decedent's estate or, if no representative, to all persons having property right in or claim
against decedent's estate, including heirs, devises, children, spouses, creditors, and
beneficiaries.
Surviving Spouse - is sole heir if no children or descendants of children are left. Where
there are surviving children or representatives of deceased children, surviving spouse shall
take child's share, unless shares exceed four in number, in which case spouse shall take onefourth
of estate and children shall take 3/4 of estate, with surviving spouse and children taking
per capita and descendants of children taking per stirpes. (53-4- 2(2)).
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS
PEER SUPPORT
Established in 1984, Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. (COPS), is a national, non-profit
organization that works with law enforcement agencies, police organizations, mental health
professional, and local peer-support organizations to provide assistance to surviving families
of law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty. COPS has become a "lifeline" to police
survivors nationwide.
Contact Mr. Roger Parker, President, Georgia COPS, 142 Clubhouse Drive, Kennesaw,
GA 30144, telephone (770) 966-1561, AJOLLYROGE@aol.com.
PEACE OFFICERS ANNUITY AND BENEFIT FUND OF GEORGIA
Georgia peace officers, including correctional officers, probation officers, and others, that are
members of the Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit Fund and who are killed or disabled in
the line of duty may be eligible for certain benefits. The Peace Officers Annuity and Benefit
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Fund of Georgia was created by the General Assembly in 1950 to provide certain annuities
and benefits to peace officers in the state of Georgia.
Members of the fund killed in the line of duty may be eligible for $5,500 death payment to
their beneficiary ($3,500 paid immediately upon the death, an additional $2,000 is paid in 20
monthly installments of $100 each). Persons disabled may be eligible for a monthly disability
pension of $235. Contact: Mr. Flint Langford, Secretary/Treasurer, Peace Officers
Annuity and Benefit Fund Of Georgia, P.O. Box 56, Griffin, GA 30224 (404) 228-8461.
THE HUNDRED CLUBS OF GEORGIA
Club name: The 300 Club of Atlanta, Inc.
Chairman: Mr. William M. Lellyett, Jr.
Club address: One Buckhead Plaza Box 116, 3060 Peachtree Road NW, Atlanta, GA 33305
Club phone: (404) 240-6736 - Club fax:(404) 240-6771
e-mail: bill.lellyett@morgankeegan.com or Kristin.garrett@morgankeegan.com
Benefit summary: Makes initial presentation; has purchased equipment for police and fire
personnel; annual awards banquet; follow up services on a case-by-case basis
Club name: The 200 Club of the Coastal Empire
President: Mr. Tak Argentinis
Club address: PO Box 779,169 Elan Court, Midway, GA 31320-0779
Club phone: (912) 880-3060 - Club fax:(912) 880 3081
Benefit summary: Paid approximately $10,000 for first fatality including credit card debt;
provides birthday and Christmas gifts to minor children
Club name: The Shield Club (Macon and Bibb Counties)
President: Mr. James M. Elliott, Jr.
Club address: 277 Martin Luther King, Jr. Blvd., Ste. 303, Macon, GA 31201
Club phone: (478) 745-1430
Benefit summary:$5,000 lump sum plus more as needed; Educational assistance of 25
scholarships of $1,000 for officers or family members
Club name: The 100 Club of Rabun County
Chairman: Mr. Joseph W. Hamilton, Jr.
Club address: P.O. Box 18, Clayton, GA 30525-0018
Club phone: (706) 782-5034 (Clayton), (706) 355-5320 (Atlanta)
Benefit summary:$5,000 lump sum
HUMAN AFFAIRS INTERNATIONAL, INC.
The world's largest provider of employee assistance programs, Human Affairs International
provides its full range of services to the families aided by The Hundred Club of Georgia at no
cost to the families or The Hundred Club.
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In addition to emotional counseling services, assistance in locating and evaluating a variety of
community and private resources to meet individual and family needs is offered. The staff is
comprised of licensed counselors, master's level and above, who are skilled in working with
all types of emotional problems and issues.
The Hundred Club of Georgia is especially grateful to Human Affairs International whose
services are made available at 27 locations throughout the state of Georgia. Contact: Michael
C. Alexander, ACSW, Vice President, Southeastern Region, Human Affairs International, Inc.
120 Ralph McGill Blvd., Suite 1615, Atlanta, Georgia 30308 (404) 892-1968.
Georgia's P.O.R.C.H.
Georgia's Professional Outreach and Resource Center for Healing (P.O.R.C.H.) is a program
designed to provide specialized services for those who experience trauma and grief after a
homicide or suicide. Services are also provided when trauma results from life threatening
and/or critical incidents in the state of Georgia. The P.O.R.C.H. is sponsored by the District
Attorney's Office of the Ocmulgee Judicial Circuit, the Baldwin County Board of
Commissioners, and the Governor's Criminal Justice Coordinating Council. Write to
Georgia's P.O.R.C.H. at PO Box 581, Milledgeville, GA 31061, or telephone 912-445-1783.
Southern States Police Benevolent Association, Inc.
The PBA member’s beneficiary will receive their base salary for one if year they are killed
accidentally or intentionally while performing their law enforcement duties (maximum
payout: $60,000). The beneficiary will receive $5,000 if it is not an occupational death or if
you are a retired or reserve member. Any active Southern States PBA member in good
standing and dues current will receive this benefit. Contact: Southern States Police
Benevolent Association, Inc., 1900 Brannan Road, McDonough, GA 30253-4310,
telephone 1-800-233-3506, or visit www.sspba.org.
All of the benefit information above has been complied by COPS, a support group for police survivors.
Contact the National Office of Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc. for additional information, or to support any of COPS' programs.
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Web site copyrighted © 2005 by Lydia Warner Miller