N.Y. bills would aid in comp payments to volunteer firefighters

Two bills prefiled to be introduced Wednesday in the New York legislature would provide support to help volunteer firefighters and their families file for workers compensation and death benefits and increase the speed at which such benefits are paid.

S.B. 382 would establish a volunteer firefighter benefit claim assistance unit to initiate contact with injured volunteer firefighters or their surviving dependents and assist with filing claims and expediting payments.

A.B. 602 would amend workers compensation law pertaining to the payment of death benefits for volunteer firefighters to stipulate that those entitled to benefits are paid within 90 days of their application to the workers compensation board unless there is a filed notice of controversy or discrepancy in the claim. The legislation would also require the state’s workers compensation board to reach out to the firefighters’ families and provide assistance with death benefit application procedures.

Both bills have been referred to the Committee on Local Governments.