Frequently Asked Questions

1. What does the Benefit Fund do?
2. What were the Benefit Fund's primary program service accomplishments for the past year?
3. How many families are helped by the Benefit Fund?
4. How can I make a difference and make a gift?
5. Are you affiliated with any city, state, or federal organizations or unions?
6. How can I learn more about the Benefit Fund's volunteer, sponsorship or corporate giving opportunities?
7. How long has the Benefit Fund been in existence?
8. How can I ensure my employer matches my gift?
9. How can I get a copy of this organization’s financial report?
10. Is the Benefit Fund registered to solicit funds in New York and other states?
11. What is the Benefit Fund's policy for determining whether an officer has been killed in the line of duty?

  1. What does the Benefit Fund do?

    The Benefit Fund's mission is to provide financial assistance and a network of support and special events for the families of New York City Police Officers, Firefighters, Port Authority Officers and EMS personnel who have been killed in the line of duty. The Benefit Fund provides financial assistance to grieving families immediately after they lose their loved one. 

  2. What were the Benefit Fund's primary program service accomplishments for the past year?

    In 2012, The Benefit Fund distributed $2.48 million to over 600 families and hopes to increase that amount in the future.  Moreover The Benefit Fund provided a network of continuous support and special events for our beneficiary families throughout the year.

  3. How many families are helped by the Benefit Fund?

    In 1987, we provided 320 families with annual financial assistance and today, we made the same commitment to over 600 families. Our need has certainly grown, but our mission remains the same: help children and spouses who lose a loved one, charged with the task of keeping our families safe.

  4. How can I make a difference and make a gift?

    You can make a gift online,

    or call Cathleen Carousso at 646-728-4062

    or print and complete gift form, then fax to 212.310.8414

    or print and mail completed gift form to:

    New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Childrens’ Benefit Fund, Inc.
    767 Fifth Avenue 2614C
    New York, NY 10153     

    For more information please contact us.

  5. Are you affiliated with any city, state, or federal organizations or unions?

    Although the Police, Fire, Port Authority and EMS Departments and Unions are advocates for our mission, the Benefit Fund is an independent 501(c)(3) non-profit organization.. All donations come from private support. The Benefit Fund does not receive any federal, state or city funds.

  6. How can I learn more about the Benefit Fund's volunteer, sponsorship or corporate giving opportunities?

  7. How long has the Benefit Fund been in existence?

    The New York Police and Fire Widows’ and Children's Benefit Fund, Inc. was established in 1985 by Daniel J. “Rusty” Staub (former NY Mets player)

  8. How can I ensure my employer matches my gift?

  9. How can I get a copy of this organization’s financial report?

    A copy of the Benefit Fund's most recent audited financial statements are available by clicking here. A copy of the Benefit Fund's latest annual report may be obtained, upon request, from the Benefit Fund or from the New York State Attorney General's Charities Bureau, Attn: FOIL Officer,120 Broadway, New York, New York 10271.

  10. Is the Benefit Fund registered to solicit funds in New York and other states?

  11. What is the Benefit Fund's policy for determining whether an officer has been killed in the line of duty?

    N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund

    Line of Duty Death Policy

                It is the purpose of the N.Y. Police and Fire Widows’ & Children’s Benefit Fund. Inc. (the “Benefit Fund”)  to expend, contribute, disburse and otherwise dispose of its money, income and other property to aid survivors of New York police and fire personnel who are killed in the line of duty.

                The term “Department” means the New York City Police Department, New York City Fire Department (including emergency medical services (“EMS”)) and Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as applicable.

                The term “Officer” means (i) a police officer employed by the New York City Police Department, (ii) a firefighter or EMS technician employed by New York City Fire Department and (iii) a police officer employed by the Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, as applicable.

                The term "line of duty" means any action which an Officer, while an active member of a Department, is obligated or authorized by law, rule, regulation, written condition of employment service to perform, or for which such Officer is compensated by such Department. 

                The term "killed in the line of duty" means, an Officer has died within six months after, and as a direct result of, a personal injury event sustained in the line of duty.  Deaths attributed to medical conditions like heart attacks or cancer generally are not included.  An example of an exception is a heart attack which occurs during, or in the immediate aftermath of, physical exertion required by any action which an Officer is taking while in the line of duty. 

                In determining whether an Officer was killed in the line of duty as recognized by the Benefit Fund, at a minimum the Benefit Fund requires (i) evidence that such Officer is eligible for inclusion on the applicable Department’s “wall of honor” and (ii) certification from the union associated with such Department that such union has declared the Officer’s death a line of duty death as recognized by such union.

                Deaths that are covered by the Benefit Fund generally include, without limitation:

    1)  a police officer is shot and killed while pursuing a suspect;

    2) a firefighter is killed by flames while fighting a fire;

    2)  a police officer dies of a heart attack while pursuing a suspect.

                Deaths that are not covered by the Benefit Fund generally include, without limitation:

    1)  a police officer or firefighter dies of cancer;

    2)  a police officer or firefighter dies of a heart attack while on vacation;

    3)  a retired police officer or firefighter dies while performing the duties of an active police officer or firefighter, respectively;

    4)  a police officer or firefighter dies of natural causes;

    5)  a police officer or firefighter commits suicide.

                This policy serves as a guideline by which the Board of the Benefit Fund determines whether an Officer has been killed in the line of duty.  It is in the exclusive, non-reviewable discretion of the Benefit Fund to determine whether an Officer has been killed in the line of duty as recognized by the Benefit Fund.