Des Moines, IA- Death and disability benefits for first responders in multiple Iowa cities will change on July 1st.
Radio Iowa reports that, under current Iowa law firefighters, police, and EMTs in those cities are eligible for disability as well as death benefits if they’re diagnosed with one of 14 types of cancer that could be connected to their work.
The governor has approved legislation that lets those workers be eligible for disability benefits for any type of cancer, as well as heart or lung disease. Their spouses or children will be eligible for benefits if any of those illnesses lead to death.
Representative Eric Gjerde of Cedar Rapids is a volunteer Linn County deputy. “This is a great piece of legislation for the folks that serve on the front lines of our communities, our municipal police officers, our firefighters and our first responders,” Gjerde says. “It’s something that has been worked on for a very long time.”
The law also requires local governments to cover the cost of mental health evaluations as part of the annual physicals for firefighters and police officers.
First responders diagnosed with a mental illness connected to their service also could qualify for disability benefits.
