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What is a Death Benevolent Fund? A cash benefit program to help your family in their hour of need. Who belongs to the Death Benevolent Fund? Fire Departments from Clinton & St. Clair Counties. Firefighters from Clinton, St. Clair & Monroe Counties. Retired Firefighters from all over the United States. Trustees from fire protection districts. E.M.S. from St. Clair County. How many people belong to the program at the present time? 116 Retired firefighters nationwide. 726 Active firefighters from 26 departments. This gives us a total of 842 members. The Death Benevolent Fund was started back in the early 1950's. Any active firefighter in good standing with his/her department. Who is empowered with the benefit funds? The only person that can receive or disperse benefit funds is the treasurer. Can the benefit funds be used for other things? No! The funds are secured and can be used only for the Death Benevolent Fund. Only office supplies and phone bills can be paid from this fund. The Treasurer is bonded for $75,000.00. Who does the audit on the Death Benevolent Fund? Larry Schaltenbrand Sr. from Belleville, who is a licensed CPA. How often are the books audited? Once a year, unless otherwise needed. We heard that the program was about broke and money had been taken. Yes, the program was in danger of "going under" when I, Jim Hertzler, took over. No money was taken or stolen. The money was mismanaged. What type of investments do you have the money in? $47,000.00 invested in Jenny Mae Bonds. $20,769.91 in checking accounts. $2,151.58 in savings accounts. $2,687.64 in money market No, only the Treasurer can access the funds. Clinton/St. Clair County Firemen's Association President, Vice President, Secretary and Trustees. Who makes the decisions on how to invest the money? The treasurer consults with the investment counselor to make the best and safest investments, and then brings the findings to the board. The board votes whether to invest or not. How is the money raised and collected for the fund? Money is raised through an "assessment", which is a billing system to collect funds. How the assessment process works: 1. Each assessment has a number. (391-395) 2. An assessment consists of five deaths to be paid out. (i.e. 391, 392, 393, 394, 395) 3. Each assessment number is valued at $3.00. 4. Multiply $3.00 by the five numbers. 5. Each assessment equals $15.00. 6. Every time five deaths are paid out, billing will go out for another assessment. 7. Each department is billed every time there are five deaths. 8. Annual payers are billed for three assessments annually. A member who has retired from their department, and their department no longer covers their assessments. An individual who has moved out of the area. What qualifies someone to become an annual payer? They must have served on a department for a minimum of two years before leaving. If someone maintains active status on their department for more than 2 years, they may NOT become an annual payer. Can I lose my benefits? 1. Attempting to make a false claim. 2. Failing to keep current with your assessments. 3. Moving and failing to notify association of new billing address. How do you know who receives my benefits in the event of my death? At the bottom of your application, there is a section for you to identify your beneficiaries. How many beneficiaries can I have? As many as you would like. Can I change beneficiaries if I wish? Yes, just fill out a beneficiary change form, it can be found here How much does the benefit pay to my beneficiary(s) in the event of my death? At the present time, the benefit payment amount is $2000.00. What if I die in the line of duty? If you die in the line of duty, your beneficiary(s) will receive a payment of $2000.00. In the event of my death, how long does it take for my beneficiary(s) to receive the benefit check? Usually benefits can be delivered within a few hours. However, if the payment needs to be mailed, it may take two to three days, depending on mail service. In the event of my death, who needs to contact the office? Your Fire Chief or your Family. Does my beneficiary(s) need proof of death? Yes A clipping from the newspaper, or copy of death certificate. Fill out an address change form, it can be found here How can I join the Death Benevolent Fund? 1. Fill out an application. 2. Have your secretary sign as a witness. 3. Sign and date it. 4. Mail it to me, Jim Hertzler, along with a payment of $15.00. Does my whole department have to join for me to become a member? No It can be one person or twenty, it makes no difference how many people want to join. Do I need to know my application form number? No, All of the information is maintained on computer database. What is the waiting period after I fill out the application? There is NO waiting period. As soon as your application and payment is received, you will be activated in the system. If after a year, I decide to withdraw from the program, do I receive an assessment refund? No you will not. The money you pay is for the privilege of receiving a benefit payment in the event of your death. The benefit program could not operate if everyone was refunded their money. If I have any questions, who do I contact? Jim Hertzler, Treasurer Office Phone: (618) 622-2978 (leave message) |