SHEBOYGAN COUNTY SHERIFF’S DEPT.
LINE OF DUTY DEATH BENEFITS- SWORN OFFICER
SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HEALTH AND DENTAL BENEFITS
Sheboygan County will continue health and dental insurance for the survivors covered by the plan on the date of death while actively employed by Sheboygan County. This benefit will continue at no cost to the dependents for a period of six (6) months. After the initial six (6) month period is over, the dependents will be given the option to continue current coverage at their own expense through COBRA for an additional (36) thirty-six months. This benefit gives dependents time to obtain health and dental coverage from another source.
CONTACT: SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT (920) 459-3105
DEPARTMENT OF EMPLOYEE TRUST FUNDS-LIFE INSURANCE / RETIREMENT FUND
Life Insurance: Participation in the Group Life Insurance is optional and employees should review their elections for death benefits. The Wisconsin Retirement Trust Funds designee will pay to the beneficiary on record the amount of life insurance based on the employees election. Employees may elect up to five levels of Group Life Insurance (Basic, Supplemental and Additional) The Basic and Supplemental insurance plans each provide coverage equal to 100% of the employee’s previous calendar years earnings, rounded to the next higher $1,000. The additional plan provides coverage up to three times the employee’s previous calendar year earnings, rounded to the next higher $1,000. Death benefits are determined by the employee election at the time of enrollment. In case of accidental death, the total amount payable is doubled.
Wisconsin Retirement Fund: If you die as an active WRS employee after 1999* and before reaching minimum retirement age (age 55 for most; age 50 for protective occupation participants), your death benefit is twice the amount of your employee required contribution balance, plus any voluntary additional contributions in your account.
If you die as an active WRS employee after 1999* and after reaching minimum retirement age (age 55 for most; age 50 for protective occupation participants) AND your beneficiary is a living person or a trust in which a living person has a beneficial interest, the higher of the following two death benefits is payable:
- Twice the amount of your employee required contribution balance, plus any voluntary additional contributions in your account; or
- A special death benefit based on both employee and employer contributions. The amount of the special death benefit is calculated as though you retired on the date of death and selected a joint and survivor annuity continued in full to your beneficiary(ies). The present value of that benefit is normally available as a lump sum or life annuity to your beneficiary(ies). Note that this special death benefit is NOT available if your beneficiary is an entity other than one or more living persons or a trust in which one or more living persons has a beneficiary interest.
CONTACT: SHEBOYGAN COUNTY HUMAN RESOURCES DEPARTMENT (920) 459-3105
MISCELLANEOUS:
Sheboygan County will pay via the payroll system (direct deposit) to the account of the deceased employee any prorated vacation, holiday pay, comp. time or accrued sick time that the employee would have been entitled to. The Human Resources Department, may also assist the survivors in the contacting the Deferred Compensation Program or the survivors may make direct contact with the financial institution where the funds are located. Dependents participating in the Section 125 medical/dependent care should contact Human Resources to review options available.
Should you have any additional questions please contact the Human Resource Dept. at (920)459-3105
DEPARTMENT OF WORK FORCE DEVELOPMENT, DIVISION OF WORKER’S COMPENSATION
Worker’s Compensation benefits may be available based on the circumstance. Benefits are only payable to surviving spouses. Department of Workforce Development, Worker’s Compensation Division, 201 East Washington Ave., PO Box 7901, Madison, WI 53707-7901, (608) 266-1340
SOCIAL SECURITY ADMINISTRATION
You may file for social security benefits by contacting the Social Security Administration at 1-800-772-1213
ADDITIONAL BENEFITS:
Victims Compensation Programs – there are victim/witness assistance programs located in each county of the state as well as the main office. Contact the Wisconsin Department of Justice, Office of Crime Victims Services, 222 State Street, P.O. Box 7951, Madison, WI 53707-7951, phone (800) 446-6564 or (608) 266-6470,
Fax: (608) 266-6676.
Law Enforcement Officers Memorial- The memorial was dedicated June 28, 1998. For more information contact Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, PO Box 2733, Madison, WI 53701-2733, phone: 608)846-9854
Wisconsin Professional Police Association- A $500 death benefit is provided to the beneficiaries of its members who are killed in the line of duty. Contact the Wisconsin Professional Police Association, General Operations, 340 Coyier Lane, Madison, WI, 53713, phone: (608) 273-3840 or the Law Enforcement Employee Relations: 9730 W. Bluemound Rd, Wauwatosa, WI 53226, phone: (414)257-4000 or call (800)362-8838.
Veterans Administration- If the person who died was a veteran, contact, The Sheboygan County Veterans Office, 615 N. 6 St., Sheboygan, WI 53081, phone: 920-459-3053
Education Benefits-In 1996 the Governor of Wisconsin signed the 1995 Wisconsin Act 228 which waives tuition and fees for surviving children at the 16 campuses that are part of the university of Wisconsin System and at state-supported vocational/technical schools that are part of the Technical College System. As of march 1998, tuition and fees are also waived for surviving spouses.
To receive the waiver, the surviving child of a law enforcement office killed in the line of duty must have been under the age of 21 (or in utero) at the time of the death. For survivors enrolled in the university system, the waiver is in effect for up to five consecutive years. The student must be in good standing and enrolled in a program that leads to a bachelor’s degree. For survivors enrolled in the technical college system, the waiver is in effect for up to three consecutive years. The student must be in good standing and enrolled in a program leading to an associate of arts degree, a collegiate transfer program, or a vocational diploma program.
Qualifying students should let the school know of their survivorship status at the time of application for admission. Students will need to provide the school with written documentation certifying their parent was killed in the line of duty. If you need assistance, contact the Wisconsin Law Enforcement Memorial, In., P.O. Box 2733, Madison, WI 53701-2733, phone (608)846-9854
Public Safety Officer’s Benefits- The (PSOB) Program in the Department of Justice provides a benefit to the survivors of public safety officers who die of injuries sustained while serving their communities in the line of duty. At the end of 2003, the program was expanded to include survivors of public safety officers who suffer fatal heart attacks or strokes in the line of duty or up to 24 hours after a non-routine stressful or strenuous physical line of duty activity or training event. Contact: U.S. Department of Justice, 810 7th Street NW, Washington, DC 20531 Phone (888)744-6513
With the aim of helping survivors and agencies understand the claim-filing and review process see Attorney Generals Guide to the Hometown Heroes Survivor’s Benefits Act
www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_heroes.html
PEER SUPPORT ORGANIZATION
Concerns of Police Survivors, Inc., (COPS), Established in 1984, 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 the COPS National Office, PO Box 3199, 3096 South State Highway 5, Camdenton, MO, 65020 phone: (573) 436-4911 or visit: for information on a chapter in your area.