PSOB: the federal benefit for families of fallen public safety officers
The Public Safety Officers’ Benefits (PSOB) program, run by the U.S. Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance (BJA), pays a one-time federal benefit to eligible survivors of public safety officers killed in the line of duty. For deaths on or after October 1, 2026, the benefit is $477,336 ($461,656 for deaths in the year before). The family and the agency each complete part of the claim online, and a death claim is generally due within three years of the death.
Who qualifies for PSOB?
PSOB covers law enforcement officers, firefighters and chaplains serving a public agency; FEMA and state, local or tribal emergency management employees; members of emergency medical services; and certain Department of Energy nuclear courier and emergency response team members. There is no minimum length of service. EMS employees of for-profit companies working under a government contract are not eligible (CRS). Volunteer firefighters can be covered when their department is legally organized; the claim includes proof of that (BJA).
BJA’s PSOB Office reviews more than 1,200 claims a year (BJA).
Who receives the PSOB death benefit?
Federal law sets the order (CRS):
- A spouse and no children: 100% to the spouse.
- A spouse and children: 50% to the spouse, and the rest split equally among the children.
- Children and no spouse: split equally among the children.
- No spouse or children: to the beneficiary on the officer’s most recent PSOB designation, or if none, the beneficiary of the most recent life insurance policy on file with the agency.
- None of the above: split equally between surviving parents.
- No spouse, children, parents or designation: to surviving adult, nondependent children.
Because of step 4, a single officer can name a PSOB beneficiary ahead of time, and the life insurance beneficiary on file can matter too.
How much is the PSOB benefit?
The amount is set by the fiscal year of the death (BJA):
- Deaths on or after Oct. 1, 2026 (FY2027): $477,336
- Deaths from Oct. 1, 2025 to Sept. 30, 2026 (FY2026): $461,656
- Deaths from Oct. 1, 2024 to Sept. 30, 2025 (FY2025): $448,575
- Deaths from Oct. 1, 2023 to Sept. 30, 2024 (FY2024): $437,503
In Texas, the PSOB benefit comes in addition to the state’s Chapter 615 benefit (ERS). See Texas line-of-duty death benefits.
How do you file a PSOB death claim?
- Create an account or sign in to the PSOB online system at psob.bja.ojp.gov.
- Complete Part A. The survivor or an authorized representative fills it out.
- The agency completes Part B. The employing agency reports the death and the circumstances.
- Upload every document on the custom checklist the system creates from your answers. The application counts as complete only when Parts A and B and every listed document are in.
- Watch for messages in MyPSOB, and call 1-888-744-6513 with questions.
If a claim is denied, there are 33 days to ask for review, and another 33 days to appeal to the BJA Director (BJA).
What documents does a PSOB death claim need?
The online system builds the exact list for each claim. BJA’s death claim checklist shows what is usually involved (BJA):
From the agency
- The report of the officer’s death, signed by the agency head.
- A detailed statement of circumstances, and investigation, incident or accident reports.
- The death certificate, autopsy report and toxicology report (or a signed statement that none was done).
- For a heart attack or stroke, records of the 24 hours before it began.
From the family
- The claim form, signed by the survivor.
- The officer’s current marriage certificate.
- Divorce decrees from the officer’s and the current spouse’s earlier marriages.
- Death certificates for any earlier marriage that ended in death.
- Documents for each child, such as a parent or guardian statement, and for children 19 to 22 a school statement of full-time enrollment.
Having these family papers together ahead of time is the part a family can do today. See the first responder family checklist.
Is there an education benefit?
Yes. The Public Safety Officers’ Educational Assistance (PSOEA) program helps eligible spouses and children with school costs: $1,574 a month for full-time study, prorated for part-time, up to 45 months of full-time education (CRS). It starts with an Education Prescreen in the PSOB system; once that is accepted, the family files the Education Payment Application (BJA).
▶ Watch how to set it up, step by step.
Keep it all in one place
FamiliaLista keeps your documents, instructions and who-to-call list organized in one place, and delivers them to your family when they need it. By message and email, in English and Spanish.
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Frequently asked questions
How much is the PSOB death benefit in 2026?
$477,336 for line-of-duty deaths on or after October 1, 2026, and $461,656 for deaths between October 1, 2025 and September 30, 2026, according to BJA.
Who gets the PSOB benefit if the officer was married with children?
The spouse receives 50% and the remaining 50% is split equally among the children.
How long do families have to file a PSOB claim?
Generally three years after the death, or one year after certain agency determinations if that is later. The BJA Director can extend the deadline for good cause.
Is the PSOB benefit taxable?
No. PSOB death and disability benefits are not subject to federal income tax.
Are EMS workers covered by PSOB?
Members of emergency medical services in a public agency are covered. EMS employees of for-profit companies working under a government contract are not.
Sources
- BJA: Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program
bja.ojp.gov/program/psob - BJA: PSOB benefits by year
bja.ojp.gov/program/psob/resources/benefits-by-year - BJA: PSOB benefits and how to apply
bja.ojp.gov/program/psob/benefits - BJA: PSOB death claim checklist
bja.ojp.gov/sites/g/files/xyckuh186/files/media/document/death_claim_checklist.pdf - Congressional Research Service, R45327: PSOB and PSOEA Programs (Jan. 28, 2026)
www.congress.gov/crs-product/R45327 - 28 CFR 32.12: time for filing a PSOB claim
www.ecfr.gov/current/title-28/section-32.12 - ERS: Chapter 615 survivor benefits (rev. 2/2/2024)
ers.texas.gov/PDFs/Chapter615
Updated November 2026. Every figure on this page was checked against the sources above.
General information, not legal or financial advice. Rules and amounts change; check the official sources above or talk to a licensed professional about your situation.
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