With the recent passage of the Ashley Wilson Act (House Bill 451) which was signed into law by Governor Brian P. Kemp on May 1, 2024, first responders (peace officers, firefighters, emergency medical professionals and technicians, 911 operators, probation officers, and jail and correctional officers) serving Georgia public entities on an employed or volunteer basis now have a right to valuable benefits. These benefits are payable if they are diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder arising from their service for any Georgia public entity. To support prompt treatment and return to service, the Act requires that first responders can quickly and confidentially obtain a lump-sum payment upon diagnosis and long-term disability benefits if needed. Local governments must provide their First Responders these mandated benefits on an insured or self-insured basis.
Eligible first responder means any of the following as defined in the statutory code:
- Communications officer (Code Section 37-12-1)
- Correctional officer (Code Section 45-1-8)
- Emergency medical professional (Code Section 16-10-24.2)
- Emergency medical technician (Code Section 16-10-24.2)
- Firefighter (Code Section 25-4-2)
- Highway emergency response operator (Code Section 45-1-8)
- Jail officer (Code Section 45-1-8)
- Juvenile correctional officer (Code Section 45-1-8)
- Peace officer (Code Section 35-8-2)
- Probation officer (Code Section 45-1-8)
- Law enforcement officer with the Department of Natural Resources
Mental health is just as important as physical health
First responders are among the first to arrive at the scene of an emergency to provide assistance. They are the backbone of emergency services, often risking their own lives to save others. The state of Georgia understands that for first responders, the emotional challenges of the job can be as strenuous as the physical demands. We know the importance of whole person health — physical, mental, financial, and social — and strive to provide benefits that support the well-being of individuals and their families. We recognize that first responders who serve our state with compassion, loyalty, and dedication deserve care for their own mental health.
To meet this need, DOAS is working with MetLife and Lockton to develop a new offering designed to comply with the Ashley Wilson Act’s specific requirements. MetLife’s Occupational PTSD Benefit for Georgia First Responders combines a lump sum payment through Critical Illness Insurance as well as additional income replacement through Long Term Disability Insurance. Due to its unique design for compliance with the Act, MetLife has determined that the lump sum payment and disability benefits are exempt from federal and Georgia state tax.
Supplemental Benefit
The supplemental benefit creates two once-per-lifetime benefits to assist with uninsured costs associated with PTSD treatment and recovery for eligible first responders.
- The first is a $3,000 lump-sum benefit paid following the diagnosis of occupational PTSD by a qualified diagnostician.
- The second is a long-term disability benefit if the eligible first responder is no longer able to perform their duties as a first responder due to their PTSD diagnosis.
Benefits are paid directly to the first responder based on a flat schedule (not reimbursement) and there is no coordination with other insurance coverage.