Enacted in 1976, the Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program is a partnership effort of the U.S. Department of Justice; local, state, and federal public safety agencies; and national organizations to provide benefits to the spouses, children, and other survivors of public safety officers who have died from a traumatic injury or who have been totally and permanently disabled in the line of duty.
On December 15, 2003, the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act expanded the circumstances under which public safety officer deaths resulting from heart attacks and strokes may be covered by the program.
- The Hometown Heroes Act establishes a statutory presumption that public safety officers who die from a heart attack or stroke following a nonroutine stressful or strenuous physical public safety activity or training, died in the line of duty for benefit purposes.
- The Hometown Heroes presumption may be overcome by "competent medical evidence to the contrary."
- The Hometown Heroes Act excludes actions of a "clerical, administrative, or nonmanual nature" from consideration.
- The regulations governing the Hometown Heroes Survivors Benefits Act, as well as the entire PSOB Program, were finalized September 11, 2006.
- In the meantime, the PSOB Office continues to work closely with OGC to assess the information provided thus far on Hometown Heroes claims.
Attorney General's Guide to the Hometown Heroes Survivors' Benefits Act
Instructions for Volunteer Fire Departments
Instructions for Emergency Rescue Squads/Ambulance Departments
Checklist for Fire Departments (English or en Español)
Checklist for Law Enforcement (English or en Español)
Hometown Heroes Directives
OJP's Hometown Heroes Fact Sheet
OJP's Hometown Heroes Frequently Asked Questions
