New York State has nearly 100,000 Volunteer Firefighters. They have been trying to get a “Cancer Bill” passed for many years and it was finally passed by Governor Cuomo on January 1, 2019.
The bill is a gap insurance policy and is paid for by local taxpayers. Every volunteer fire department is required to carry this policy for all of its members. The policy provides tax-free disability and death benefits to volunteers with five years of service if they’re diagnosed with specific cancers. Until January 1, only Paid Firefighters in New York had a cancer coverage benefit.
The “Cancer Bill'” will provide New York State’s Volunteer Firefighters with an additional level of health coverage and support. If you are a New York State Volunteer Firefighter and have a question about a line of duty related injury/illness, please contact FOA to discuss benefit eligibility.
