In December, 2021, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of NC awarded NCSFA, through its non-profit organization, The North Carolina Firefighters Fund (NCFF), a grant of $250,000 to assist firefighters and first responders struggling with mental health issues in their lives. Beginning February 1, 2022, we are providing up to $2,500 per firefighter to reimburse for out-of-pocket costs, deductibles, co-pays, and other amounts not covered by regular health insurance or Employee Assistance Programs. Funds can be provided for up-front clinician costs where no insurance is available depending on the situation.
In order to validate the need and keep the process as private as possible, we ask the Fire Chief’s assistance in submitting the application on behalf of the member and monitoring the need for this in their department. An informational document is linked below. It provides some program guidelines, definitions and an application. We ask that the Fire Chief assist any firefighter applying for this benefit and validate the information provided for their claim.
Please note, since the grant from Blue Cross Blue Shield is a limited amount, funding will only be provided as long as funds designated for this purpose within the NCFF remain.
If you have any questions, please contact Dean Coward, Financial Director for NCSFA and Treasurer for the North Carolina Firefighters Fund at 919-821-2132, email at dean@ncsfa.com.
To download the informational document and application please click here.
