Educational assistance extended to firefighter dependents
Effective September 14, 1999, financial assistance for education became available to dependents of federal firefighters and state and local public safety officers killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. The benefits will be available under Federal Law Enforcement Dependents Assistance (FLEDA) as the result of amendments the Bureau of Justice Assistance made to the Police, Fire, and Emergency Officers` Educational Assistance Act of 1998. The amendments expand the FLEDA program to authorize these payments under the Public Safety Officers` Benefits Program.
Previously, the FLEDA program provided financial assistance for higher education only to the dependents of federal law enforcement officers killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty. Now, these educational benefits will be available to spouses and children of all public safety officers killed or permanently and totally disabled in the line of duty, and with respect to whom a claim has been approved under the Public Safety Officers` Benefits program. Payment will be made only for attendance at an approved education program at institutions for higher education. For additional information, contact Ashton Flemmings, Chief, Public Safety Officers` Benefits Office, 810 7th Street, NW; Washington, DC 20531; (202) 307-0635 or (888) 744-6513.
