The PSOB (Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program) is newly revamped program from the U.S. Department of Justice that provides a death benefit to the families of officers killed in the line of duty. These benefits extend to local, state, and federal employees. The officer’s death must have resulted from an injury that occurred in the line of duty to qualify for this death benefit.
PSOB can also extend to officers who have been permanently and totally disabled as the result of such an injury, but only if the injury permanently prevents this officer from pursuing any type of gainful work.
Important to note is the order of beneficiaries eligible for PSOB
- Spouses
First and foremost, the DOJ created the PSOB to assist spouses. The widows and widowers left behind by line-of-duty deaths are those most vulnerable after such an event, and as such are the primary beneficiaries of this program.
- Children
The program specifically states that this refers to biological natural children, out-of-wedlock children, adopted children, posthumous children (if the mother was pregnant at the time of said injury), and stepchildren who are 18 years of age and under. That age limit extends to 22 if the child was a full-time student at the time of the officer’s death. Children with disabilities who are older than 18 may also qualify.
- Designated PSOB beneficiaries
These beneficiaries must be on file with the PSOB agency at the time of the officer’s death.
- Surviving parents
The parents of the officer may also be eligible for benefits.