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. 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.
Last week, my office 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 September 4, 2020, and may be extended if the circumstances continue to warrant assistance for this exposure.
The rule change includes two new 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. You can 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.
Our team is ready to answer any questions about this program at LEOFFFund@ago.ms.gov or 601-359-6766.
Our new website should be available soon. In the meantime, you can still access information about programs of the Attorney General’s Office, as well as archived Attorney General opinions, on former-Attorney General Jim Hood’s website by clicking here.
In addition to visiting my new website regularly, I hope you will also sign up for my biweekly email newsletter by clicking here and visit my social media: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and YouTube.
I look forward to serving Mississippi in this new role.
Sincerely,
Lynn Fitch
Attorney General
State of Mississippi