West Virginia Subsidy

April 18, 2011

West Virginia has agreed to provide $5 million to help subsidize the state’s volunteer fire departments’ workers’ compensation costs.

West Virginia Acting Governor Earl Ray Tomblin has sign the subsidy bill into law.

The majority of fire departments in the state are voluntary and have limited means to pay for their workers’ compensation coverage, which is mandated by the state. The West Virginia State Firemen’s Association said that in some instances fire departments are facing premium increases of up to 700 percent. And that without help, many might have to close their doors.

The subsidies will apply to yearly policies issued on or after July 1, 2011.

The new law calls for the subsidy program to be reviewed after three years.