North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Benefit Program
A cancer diagnosis can happen at any time and leave you emotionally, physically and financially overwhelmed. While traditional health insurance is valuable coverage, it may not cover all of the expenses related to your treatment and recovery.
The State of North Carolina recognized the need to support its more than 56,000 firefighters and their families by creating a pilot program in 2022 to provide certain cancer benefits for eligible employed and volunteer firefighters.
In response to this requirement, The North Carolina Firefighter Cancer Benefit Program was created to help bridge the financial gaps that may follow a cancer diagnosis, so you can focus on recovery. Initially, the pilot program was funded by the North Carolina Legislature through the 2021-2023 and 2023-2025 Budget Biennium. The success of this program resulted in legislation signed into law in 2024 that established recurring funding for the program beginning July 1, 2025.
The program is available to active rostered firefighters, employed and volunteer, who meet certain conditions at no cost to either firefighters or the Fire Departments. Another important change to the program beginning July 1, 2025 is the inclusion of retired firefighters meeting specific criteria as an eligible class within the program.
The cancer diagnosis for active Firefighters and nonactive retired Firefighters must have occurred on or after January 1, 2022.
Your group coverage, administered by the Office of State Fire Marshal, Risk Management Division includes:
Coverage Benefits
- A lump sum benefit of $37,000 that is paid when you are diagnosed with a covered cancer (up to two cancer diagnoses).
- When you’re unable to work as a firefighter for a long period of time due to a cancer diagnosis, the Long-term Disability benefit pays a portion of your income every month.
- For an employed firefighter, 75% of your income up to $5,000 is the monthly benefit.
- For a volunteer firefighter, a flat amount of $1,500 is the monthly benefit.
These benefits can be used in any way you choose, enabling you to focus more on recovery. They can help pay for things like:
- Coinsurance or deductibles for health insurance
- Everyday living expenses such as groceries, mortgage/rent and other bills
- Child care or caregiver expenses
- Rehabilitation
File a Claim
- To file a claim click on this link below. You will be directed to a page to submit basic information directly to the administrator.
- Once your eligibility is verified you will be sent the full claims form to submit directly to the administrator. This process is in place to protect your privacy under HIPPA and various privacy laws. If there is any question about eligibility you will be contacted.
- Once received, the administrator will open your claims file and process for payment.
Retired Firefighter Criteria
Effective July 1, 2025: A nonactive Firefighter retiree is eligible for the benefit for a period no more than 10 years after the firefighter no longer meets the definition of the term Firefighter and has retired with 20 years of creditable service. The cancer diagnosis for active Firefighters and nonactive retired Firefighters must have occurred on or after January 1, 2022
To meet the eligibility requirement of “Retired Firefighter” a Volunteer or Career Firefighter must have served a minimum of 20 years of service and be certified as having received 36 hours of training on a North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association (NCSFA) roster for each of the 20 years. Participation in the North Carolina Firefighter and Rescue Squad Workers Pension Fund is not a requirement for the cancer benefit.
The Retired Nonactive Firefighter must be on a NCSFA roster to be eligible for the cancer benefit.
For questions regarding NCSFA roster status, contact:
North Carolina State Firefighters’ Association
919-821-2132