First responders eligible for benefits if they contract COVID-19 on duty

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Mississippi Attorney General Lynn Fitch has issued an emergency temporary rule to allow eligible first responders who contract COVID-19 while on duty to apply for benefits through the Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Fighters Disability Benefits Fund.

If approved, the first responder may be eligible for a disability payment equal to 34% of the covered individual’s work wages. The rule change will be in effect until Sept. 4 and may be extended if the circumstances continue to warrant assistance.

“As Mississippi continues to operate under the governor’s safer-at-home order, our first responders and health care professionals remain on the front lines,” Fitch wrote on her website. “They are keeping us safe and healthy, putting themselves in harm’s way, and sacrificing time with their families and so much more. In fact, some are even contracting coronavirus in the line of their daily duties.”

The rule change requires filling out two forms, one from a health care provider verifying positive COVID-19 test results and one from a supervisor verifying that the first responder was exposed in the line of duty. Find those new forms here. The Standard Application for Benefits for career firefighters and law enforcement officers can be found here and for volunteer firefighters and reserve/auxiliary law enforcement here.

For more information or to get your questions answered about the program email LEOFFFund@ago.ms.gov or call 601-359-6766.