On October 3, 2024, Governor Whitmer signed PA 128 of 2024 into law which doubled the one-time payment of $25,000 to $50,000, for public safety officers who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty, ensuring adequate support for the families providing them with the financial stability and recognition they deserve for their loved one’s service.

Covered Public Safety Officers 

"Public safety officer" is identified as an individual serving a public agency in an official capacity, with or without compensation, as a law enforcement officer, firefighter, rescue squad member, or ambulance crew member.  "Law enforcement officer" means an individual involved in crime and juvenile delinquency control or reduction or the enforcement of the criminal law.  It includes police, corrections, probation, parole, bailiffs, or other similar court officers.  "Firefighter" means a volunteer or employed member of a fire department of a city, county, township, village, state university, community college, or a member of the Department of Natural Resources employed to fight fires.

Eligibility 

The one-time $50,000 benefit is paid to an eligible beneficiary(ies) in the following order:

• If the public safety officer is permanently and totally disabled, the one-time benefit will be paid to the spouse; if there is no spouse, then to the dependents of the officer.  If there are no dependents, then the benefit will be paid to the entity providing care to the officer.
• If the officer is killed in the line of duty, the benefit will be paid to the spouse.  If there is no surviving spouse, then to dependents of the officer.  If there is no surviving spouse or surviving dependents, then the benefit will be paid to the estate of the deceased officer.

Applications and Instructions

• Public Safety Officer Benefit Program Rules
• PSOB Death Benefit Application Instructions
• PSOB Death Benefit Application
• Public Safety Officer Benefit Disability Claim Instructions
• PSOB Disability Application

To receive additional information on the Public Safety Officer Benefit Act, please e-mail the Standards Compliance Section at msp-mcoles@michigan.gov, 517-636-7864, or write to MCOLES at:

Public Safety Officer Benefit Program
Michigan Commission on Law Enforcement Standards
927 Centennial Way
Lansing, MI  48913

Notice:  The payment of benefits under the Act is subject to an appropriation by the Legislature to make the payment.