California Death Benefits for Cops

The State of California values the great and outstanding service of California cops throughout the state regardless of rank or place of detail. It recognizes the valiant effort and courage displayed by these defenders of peace in policing the state and all its streets.

Without a doubt, police work is a very dangerous and stressful job. Their lives are at risk everyday. There are others who are lucky to come out of a bad situation. However, others are not as lucky. Some lose their lives due to lawless elements. In these times, although the state cannot do anything to change the fate of our deceased cops, they try to compensate and show respect and appreciation for their great service to the community.

Aside from making sure that swift justice is brought against those who caused the demise of our deceased cops, the State recognizes the sad situation of the loved ones left behind.

California cops are granted by the State of California several types of death benefits, including:

1. State pension benefits; 2. Educational benefits; 3. Health benefits; 4. Workers? Compensation; 5. Personal Life Intestate Policy; and 6. Additional benefits.

State pension benefits of the state government covers three retirement systems: 1. 1937 Act County Retirement System; 2. Public Employees Retirement System; and 3. Independent Local Pension Systems.

If you are the loved one or heir of a deceased police officer, it is best to learn more about the different pensions offered by the government. This will enable you to maximize your benefits.

The Alan Pattee Scholarship Act on the other hand, governs educational benefits. This Act grants full scholarships in California State Universities to surviving child, natural or adopted, of a public official in the State of California who is killed in the line of duty.

In case of health benefits, the agencies are mandated to continue the health benefits provided for the deceased police officers. This is in line with the law passed by Governor Pete Wilson in 1996.

Also, in the case of worker?s compensation, the survivors are eligible for the compensation granted to their deceased police officers.

Further still, the state provides statutory provisions to govern the distribution among the heirs or beneficiaries of those who died without a will. The State of California makes sure that, even without a will, deceased officer?s assets will be distributed to his or her loved ones justly.

Finally, there are additional benefits that are granted to police officers depending on the city they worked for. The City of Oakland, for example, grants additional benefits to deceased police officers who died in the line of duty. In some other states, Victim Assistance Program are similarly provided. (http://www.nationalcops.org/forms/benefits/california.pdf)

For more information about Death Benefits Application visit our Los Angeles Social Security Attorneys website at http://www.socialsecuritylawattorney.com/Death-Benefits-Application.html

Atty Gabriel Cosh is a legal advocate and a practitioner of law for over 10 years now. He is also an expert in the field of social legislation and personal injury cases.