Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits
U.S. Department of Justice
What is Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits?
The Public Safety Officers' Education Assistance (PSOEA) Program provides financial assistance, for the purpose of seeking higher education, to the spouses and eligible children of local police, fire, and emergency public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.
Educational assistance through the PSOEA Program is available after the Public Safety Officers' Benefit (PSOB) death or disability claim process has been completed and benefits have been awarded. A PSOB specialist works with each PSOEA applicant to confirm that the parent's or spouse's disability or death claim has previously been approved by the PSOB Office and that, in cases regarding an officer's death, the applicant has received at least a portion of the PSOB benefits. Eligibility dates for PSOB benefits can be found on the pages that discuss death claims and disability claims.
Administration
Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits is administered by U.S. Department of Justice.
Program Requirements
The spouse of a public safety officer is eligible to receive PSOEA funds for educational expenses at any time during his or her lifetime. However, for a child of the deceased or disabled officer, eligibility is limited to educational expenses that occur prior to his or her 27th birthday. Also, a spouse or child is eligible to receive PSOEA funds for a period no greater than 45 months of full-time education or a proportionate period of a part-time program.
Application Details
What is the application process for Public Safety Officers' Benefits Program: Educational Assistance Benefits?
In order to apply for this benefit, you must first have applied for the Public Safety Officers' Benefit Program. Once that has been completed, you will need to call the PSOB Office toll-free at 1-888-744-6513 to discuss the requirements for receiving PSOEA benefits.