When filing an application for disability retirement benefits with any of New Jersey public employee pension systems, there are a myriad of considerations that must be taken into account and certain pitfalls that can occur along the way. One of the considerations and/or pitfalls that must be considered is whether a member has any active
Donald Barbati
Your Application for Disability Retirement Was Denied…Now What?
As indicated in our post last week, deciding whether to utilize an attorney when filing for application for disability retirement benefits is an important initial consideration. Many individuals utilize the services of an attorney, while others do not. Nevertheless, many applications for disability retirement are routinely rejected by a Board of Trustees of a pension…
Under New Bill, NJ Police Officers, Firefighters Can Retire Early
As reported by NJ.com, nearly 8,000 New Jersey Police Officers and Firefighters with twenty (20) years of service can now retire early under a bill signed into law on Monday. The legislation, S107, known as the “burnout bill,” allows public safety workers who reach twenty (20) years of service within the next two years…
Plan for Billions in Borrowing to Avert Public Worker Layoffs Clears NJ Assembly
As reported by NJ.com, a plan offered by Governor Phil Murphy for New Jersey’s state government to make up for massive losses in tax revenue with up to $14 billion in borrowing passed the State Assembly yesterday, but still lacks support from State Senate President Stephen Sweeney. The measure cleared the lower house in…
Senate Passes Bill To Pay Benefits of First Responders Who Die of Coronavirus
As reported by NJ.com, legislation to automatically pay federal death benefits to first responders who die of the coronavirus unanimously passed the United States Senate yesterday. The measure removes the requirement that families of police officers, firefighters and emergency medical technicians have to prove that the first responder was infected while on the job…
Law Enforcement Officers Should Be Compensated for COVID-19 Temperature Checks Taken at The Start of The Workday
On account of the COVID-19 outbreak, many employers are requiring employees submit to temperature checks prior to entering the place of employment or their specific job. For New Jersey Public Safety Officers, this is no different. To this end, the State of New Jersey and many counties, towns, and municipalities are requiring officers submit to…
Corrections Union Demands Widespread and Free COVID-19 Testing
As reported by NJ.com, the Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local Number 105 (“P.B.A. #105”), the union representing rank-and-file Correctional Police Officers employed by the New Jersey Department of Corrections, among various other State employees, and the largest law enforcement union in the State of New Jersey, is demanding widespread and free testing of both its…
Update on Hotels/Housing for First Responders Who May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
As you are all aware, we recently posted an article about the ability of New Jersey, its counties, and municipalities to house first responders and others who may have been exposed to COVID-19 in hotels and motels at federal expense. Since that time, numerous NJ Public Safety Officers, as well as the Unions that represent…
NJ To Use Hotels For First Responders Who May Have Been Exposed to COVID-19
As reported by NJ.com, New Jersey and its municipalities just got permission to house first responders and others who may have been exposed to the coronavirus in hotels and motels at federal expense. The State became eligible to request Federal Emergency Management Agency funding after President Donald Trump issued an emergency declaration March 26.…
US Secretary of the Treasury : First Responders Could Receive Hazard Pay
As reported by firerescue1.com, U.S. Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin said a fourth stimulus package could include hazard pay for those on the front lines of the COVID-19 crisis. Mnuchin told CNN Monday that his department has not yet begun work on a fourth stimulus package, as it works to implement the third package passed…