The SC General Assembly funded the Firefighter Cancer Healthcare Benefit Plan for FY 2024-2025. The benefit is a supplemental insurance policy for paid and unpaid firefighters who are diagnosed with cancer. Lawmakers amended the firefighter cancer bill in 2024 to remove the residency requirement. The amendment allows those who are not residents of South Carolina but who work in the state to be eligible for benefits.
The types of cancer that the supplemental insurance policy covers include
- central and peripheral nervous system;
- oropharyngeal;
- respiratory tract;
- gastrointestinal tract;
- hepatobiliary;
- solid organ and endocrine;
- genitourinary and male reproductive;
- gynecological;
- skin, soft tissue, and breast; and
- bone and blood.
Through the plan, a firefighter is entitled to
- a one-time benefit of $20,000,
- an annual out-of-pocket expenses reimbursement of up to $12,000, and
- a $75,000 death benefit.
More information about the firefighter health benefit can be found online or by emailing cancer@scfirefighters.org.