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Administration proposes budget changes to public safety death benefits

The Associated Press

WASHINGTON — The Obama administration wants to cut almost in half a benefits program for the families of slain police and safety officers.

The president’s proposed budget calls for cutting the Public Safety Officers’ Death Benefits Program from $110 million to $60 million.

The Justice Department insisted no one would lose benefits.

“Any family member who is eligible for benefits under this program will receive them,” said Justice Department spokeswoman Melissa Schwartz.

Budget documents say the reduction is being made because “claims are anticipated to decrease.”

Suzie Sawyer, executive director of Concerns of Police Survivors, said as long as the number of police and safety officers killed doesn’t increase too much, the amount of money offered in the budget could be enough. And she noted that in the past, the government has found more money for the program when it needed more, such as following the Sept. 11, 2001 terror attacks.

The program pays benefits of more than $300,000 to the survivors of a safety officer killed in the line of duty.