PELL GRANT AND DEATH BENEFIT
An interesting dependency issue arose in the Board Panel Decision of Manzur v. WCAB (2021 Cal. Wrk. Comp. P.D. LEXIS , wherein Charles Mazur was injured and later died in July 2011. Mazur's 24 year old son was a total dependent in July 2011; however, the defense asserted the son was a partial dependent because by 7/2011 he was already awarded a Pell Grant which would pay tuition and some living expenses starting in 8/2011.
The WCAB determined the living expenses from the Pell Grant was not applicable because it was not being paid at the time of injury in July 2011, when the extent of dependency is determined. As a result, the son was deemed a total dependent entitled to the $250K death benefit.
[COMMENT: The defense concept about the Pell Grant impacting the son's dependency status was correct, but the timing was off. Still, a great reminder that dependency can be based upon income from any source, including college wages, stipends or even Pell Grant money.]
EAMS & OLDER WINDOWS ISSUE
The DWC announced that users of Microsoft operating systems with Windows OS 7, 8 or 8.1 will not be able to access EAMS starting August 1st.
E-filers using the old Windows systems are encouraged to upgrade to Windows 10 before 8/1/2021.