Indemnification Program for Public Officers and Educator

We administer the Georgia State Indemnification Program recognizing there are hazards inherent in certain public occupations that put employees at a higher risk of injury. The program provides a financial benefit from two indemnification funds for designated public officers and public school personnel who are disabled or killed in the line of duty.

The Public Officers Indemnification Fund includes payments for permanent disability, supplemental income and death to eligible law enforcement officers, firefighters, prison guards, publicly employed emergency medical technicians, emergency management rescue specialists, state highway employees, and active members of the Georgia National Guard, when called into service by the Governor. The Public School Indemnification Fund provides payments to any public school employee who is killed or permanently disabled by an act of violence in the line of duty. This benefit is funded by revenue generated by the sale of special license plates honoring Georgia educators.

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed House Bill (HB) 1128 into law relating to the Georgia State Indemnification Fund Program and notification requirements for injured public safety officers. HB 1128 expands access to indemnification benefits by establishing a special application window for eligible individuals who sustained organic brain damage in the line of duty on or before July 1, 2024, and whose injuries impaired their ability to apply for benefits.  

HB 1128 also requires the State Board of Workers’ Compensation and law enforcement agencies to provide notice of eligibility for compensation benefits to injured employees or their legal guardians, when applicable. This ensures that incapacitated individuals and their families are informed of potential eligibility for benefits under the Georgia State Indemnification Fund Program.  

Eligible public safety officers include law enforcement officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, emergency management rescue specialists, state highway employees, and prison guards as defined by O.C.G.A. § 45-9-81.  

Under HB 1128, applications for eligible individuals incapacitated by organic brain damage sustained in the line of duty on or before July 1, 2024, must be submitted during the special application window established by the legislation. The application period opens July 1, 2026, and closes August 1, 2026.  

Please note: If an eligible individual was previously unable to apply due to incapacity, a legal guardian or authorized representative may submit the application on their behalf during the designated application period. 

Access the Georgia State Indemnification Program Application for Benefits:  Traumatic Brain Injury Total Permanent Disability Benefits Application 
 

Governor Brian P. Kemp signed House Bill 105 (HB 105) into law on May 8, 2025. HB105, named the "Daniel D. Podsiadly, Jr. Act," introduces several important provisions aimed at supporting and protecting peace officers in Georgia.  

HB105 mandates that the State Board of Workers' Compensation must inform the Department of Administrative Services if they have reasonable cause to believe an injured worker qualifies as an eligible peace officer. Additionally, the board shall send a notification to the injured peace officer with the Georgia State Indemnification Fund's contact information.  

Law enforcement agencies are also required to notify such employees about the Georgia State Indemnification Fund and the temporary disability compensation programs within ten days of any potentially disabling injury. 

Another significant change is the increase in the indemnification death benefit for dependents of public-school teachers or public-school employees who are killed in the line of duty from $75,000 to $150,000 in the event of death.