Mayor de Blasio Calls for COVID-19 Death Benefits. Helping front line employees who died fighting COVID-19
Mayor de Blasio announced his support for line-of-duty death benefits for survivors of municipal employees who die of COVID-19.
“Our public servants have gone above and beyond during this crisis, and the loved ones of those we’ve lost deserve our full support,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “That’s why I’m advancing State legislation to authorize line-of-duty death benefits for the families of City employees who die of COVID-19. We must honor their dedication to our city.”
The City will work with the State Legislature to pass legislation to establish a presumption that COVID-19 deaths occurred in the line-of-duty, which would grant death benefits and health insurance to surviving family members. The Mayor previously granted a 45-day extension of health insurance to surviving family members of city workers who die of COVID-19.
“Many municipal employees have put their lives on the line to help our city battle this pandemic, and far too many have paid the ultimate price. The City Council supports efforts to grant benefits to the families of the city workers who died in the line of duty because of COVID. We will never forget their sacrifice,” said Council Speaker Corey Johnson.
“I am glad to have the Mayor’s and City’s support on State legislation we are working on to ensure family members of those who lost their lives battling coronavirus receive the line-of-duty benefits. The only way to properly honor the memories of our fallen heroes is to ensure their family members are cared for, and I look forward to getting this vital work done alongside state and city partners,” said Senator Andrew Gounardes.
“Our public servants have stood at the forefront of the government response to COVID-19 with great courage, and at great personal sacrifice to preserve our health, safety, and quality of life,” said Council Member I. Daneek Miller, Committee on Civil Service and Labor Chair. “For all that the families of our fallen heroes have suffered, the least we can do is try to make them whole. We thank Mayor de Blasio for joining our call for the State to pass COVID-19 line-of-duty legislation to help give these families the long-term financial and healthcare security they richly deserve in recognition of their loved ones’ commitment to excellence, and the value they consistently added to our city.”
“The mayor is on the right side of this issue. Our families of essential workers are left high and dry and now I am glad we are moving towards addressing this horrible burden,” said Council Member Joe Borelli.
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