. The POAT provides educational assistance, holiday remembrances to the children of fallen officers, maintains the Law Enforcement Memorial site and sponsors the annual Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Ceremony.
The below listed benefits are only available to the Law Enforcement community of Miami-Dade County, Florida.
Since its inception in 1989, POAT has assisted over 500 officers and provided over $4 million in financial support. Various fundraising events and activities are held throughout the year to raise the funds which support our programs and services. Additional revenue is generated through payroll deduction plans instituted by several law enforcement agencies.
Tragedy and loss led to the creation of POAT. It has flourished due to the generosity and compassion of others; and without the funds to perpetuate its programs, POAT would be unable to provide the assistance so many officers need.
The individuals, businesses, and organizations whose contributions have made POAT's progress possible, are greatly appreciated. Our goal is to remain an active and viable charitable organization within the law enforcement community thus living up to our motto... Serving Those Who Serve
Financial Assistance
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When officers are injured or disabled in the line of duty
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To assist with medical expenses not covered by health insurance
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Disaster relief, such as needed in the aftermath of a hurricane
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Expenses associated with debilitating illnesses that strike officers, their spouses, and/or children
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Assistance to the families of officers killed in the line of duty
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Other catastrophic circumstances where the officer has no means or remedy
A close association with local law enforcement agencies and fraternal organizations, and families is maintained to identify and help officers in need.
POAT is committed to providing financial relief whenever needed. This commitment has created a sense of belonging and the knowledge that all officers are truly members of the law enforcement family .
Educational Benefits
FEDERAL BENEFITS
The Public Safety Officers' Benefits (PSOB) Program includes the Public Safety Officers' Educational Assistance (PSOEA) Program, which expands on efforts started under the Federal Law Enforcement Dependents Assistance (FLEDA) Act (Public Law 104-238) of 1996. The PSOEA Program provides assistance for higher education for the spouses and children of federal, state, and local public safety officers who have been killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty. The act was amended in 1998 (Public Law 105-390) to include educational assistance to spouses and children of state and local public safety officers.
http://www.ojp.usdoj.gov/BJA/grant/psob/psob_main.html
STATE BENEFITS
F.S. 112.19(2)(3) If a law enforcement, correctional, or correctional probation officer is accidentally killed on or after June 22, 1990, or unlawfully and intentionally killed on or after July 1, 1980, the state shall waive certain educational expenses that the child or spouse of the deceased officer incurs while obtaining a career certificate, an undergraduate education, or a postgraduate education. The amount waived by the state shall be an amount equal to the cost of tuition and matriculation and registration fees for a total of 120 credit hours. The child or spouse may attend a state career center, a state community college, or a state university. The child or spouse may attend any or all of the institutions specified in this subsection, on either a full-time or part-time basis. The benefits provided to a child under this subsection shall continue until the child's 25th birthday. The benefits provided to a spouse under this subsection must commence within 5 years after the death occurs, and entitlement thereto shall continue until the 10th anniversary of that death. The waiver can be obtained from the registrar of the school the child attends.
F.S.440.16(c) To the surviving spouse, payment of postsecondary student fees for instruction at any career center up to 1,800 classroom hours or payment of student fees at any community college established under part III of chapter 1004 for up to 80 semestter hours. The spouse of a deceased state employee shall be entitled to a full waiver of such fees. The benefits provided for in this paragraph shall be in addition to other benefits provided for in this section and shall terminate 7 years after the death of the deceased employee, or when the total payment in eligible compensation under paragraph (b) has been received. To qualify for the educational benefit under this paragraph, the spouse shall be required to meet and maintain the regular admission requirements of, and be registered at, such career center or community college, and make satisfactory academic progress as defined by the educational institution in which the student is enroplled. (2) The dependence of a child, except a child physically or mentally incapacitated form earning a livelihood, shall terminate with the attainment of 18 years of age, with the attainment of 22 years of age if a full-time student in an accredited educational institution, or upon marriage.
For information, call Florida Department of Labor, Division of Workers Compensation 800-342-1741.
Your Access to Free Credit Reports
The Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies – Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion – to provide you with a free copy of your credit report, at your request, once every 12 months. The FCRA promotes the accuracy and privacy of information in the files of the nation’s consumer reporting companies. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC), the nation’s consumer protection agency, enforces the FCRA with respect to consumer reporting companies.
A credit report includes information on where you live, how you pay your bills, and whether you’ve been sued, arrested, or filed for bankruptcy. Nationwide consumer reporting companies sell the information in your report to creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses that use it to evaluate your applications for credit, insurance, employment, or renting a home.
Here are the details about your rights under the FCRA and the Fair and Accurate Credit Transactions (FACT) Act, which established the free annual credit report program.
The link to their website is: http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/pubs/credit/freereports.htm
http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep2.html
DOWNLOADS
Credit Report - www.annualcreditreport.com
(Must be attached to Application for Benefits)
You may deliver or mail your completed application with the supporting documentation to:
Police Officer Assistance Trust
1030 N.W. 111 Avenue
Miami, Florida 33172
Please call the office before you come by. If you have trouble downloading the above file, call our office at (305) 594-6662 and we will fax or mail a copy to you.