A federal initiative established to provide financial benefits to families of police officers and firefighters who die or become disabled in the line of duty is witnessing rapid growth but also faces criticism over increasing delays in processing claims. Created by Congress in 1976, the Public Safety Officers’ Benefits program was designed to ensure the surviving spouses and children of public safety officers received support.
However, recent expansions to the program have complicated its administration and increased its popularity. Critics argue that the program fails some families by being inconsistent and delaying decisions on payments. An analysis has revealed that numerous families are waiting for years to find out if they qualify for such benefits, with many ultimately facing denials.
For instance, Sharline Volcy, a widow from New Jersey, recently learned about her benefits award over three and a half years after her husband passed away during training at a police academy in Georgia. Volcy expressed relief at the financial aid, which will help pay for her daughters’ education, but she noted the anxiety-inducing wait and her frustrations with the process.
These lengthy delays are not isolated incidents. As of late April, over 120 claims have been pending for initial decisions or appeals for more than five years, with some stretching over a decade, according to findings. A report criticized the program for not meeting its goal of determining claims within a year, a standard that hasn’t been regularly tracked.
Approximately 30% of cases do not meet this timeframe, and as of late April, 900 claims had been outstanding for over a year. In response, some Republican lawmakers have introduced legislation to mandate a decision within 270 days.
The rate of benefit denials has been rising as well, with approximately one in three death and disability claims rejected last year. Although applicants can appeal decisions, many opt not to, often citing the financial inability to hire legal support or the desire to move on with their lives.
Justice Department officials contend that they face tough choices in determining the eligibility of claims, especially when they involve complex situations, abundant evidence, and differing medical opinions. These complexities contribute to prolonged determinations as claims continue to increase.
Initially, the program offered a $50,000 payout to families of officers killed on duty. By 1990, Congress expanded the program to cover officers disabled while serving, which complicated determinations. In 1998, educational benefits were added for families of deceased or disabled officers. Further expansions since 2020 included various causes of death, like those related to COVID-19 and the 9/11 cleanup, causing another surge in claims.
While many criticize the delays, a key organization representing deceased officers’ families remains largely silent. Critics suggest this may be due to the group’s receipt of substantial grants from the benefits program, leading them to avoid public criticism. Instead, the organization focuses on supporting families through resources like counseling and education.
One noteworthy case is that of Lisa Afolayan, whose husband died from heat illness during training over 16 years ago. Despite previous benefits awarded in similar cases, her claims were denied, with officials citing a genetic condition as the cause rather than the heat. Her continued legal battle for benefits, which could influence future similar claims, is a testament to the challenges faced by many beneficiaries in seeking justice and support.