§ 16. Death benefits. If the injury causes death, the compensation shall be known as a death benefit and shall be payable in the amount and to or for the benefit of the persons following:

1. Funeral expenses. The chair shall prepare and establish a schedule for the state or schedules limited to defined localities of maximum charges and fees for such funeral expenses, to be determined in accordance with, and to be subject to change pursuant to, rules promulgated by the chair. Before preparing such schedule for the state or schedules for limited localities, the chair shall request the president of the New York state funeral directors' association to submit to the chair a report on the amount of remuneration deemed by such association to be fair and adequate for the types of funeral services rendered under this chapter, but consideration shall also be given to the views of other interested parties. The amounts payable by the employer for such services shall be the actual fees and charges up to the maximum established by such schedule. Provided, however, no such schedule of charges and fees shall apply where a firefighter dies from injuries received in the line of duty as a direct result of firefighting or where a police officer dies from injuries received in the line of duty as a direct result of law enforcement activities, where such funeral expenses are reasonable. If such funeral expenses shall have been paid by the claimants entitled to compensation under this section or by others, the funeral expenses awarded shall be made payable to such claimants or others, otherwise they shall be made payable to the undertaker who shall have provided burial. Funeral expenses shall be awarded in case of all injuries causing death including cases in which there are no persons entitled to other compensation under this chapter.

1-a. For the purpose of this section, (1) the term dependent blind or physically disabled as used herein in relation to dependent children shall be deemed to mean totally blind or physically disabled children whose disablement is total and permanent, (2) the term surviving spouse shall be deemed to mean the legal spouse but shall not include a spouse who has abandoned the deceased, and (3) the term abandoned shall be deemed to mean such an abandonment as would be sufficient under section two hundred of the domestic relations law to sustain a judgment of separation on that ground.

1-b. If there be a surviving spouse and no child of the deceased under the age of eighteen years and no child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, and the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, and prior to January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, to such spouse forty per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood with two years' compensation in one sum, upon remarriage; and where the death occurred prior to July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, to such wife (or dependent husband) thirty per centum of such wages during widowhood (or dependent widowerhood) with two years' compensation in one sum, upon remarriage.

1-c. If there be a surviving spouse and no child of the deceased under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution and no child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, and the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, to such spouse sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood with two years' compensation, in one sum, upon remarriage. Where the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, and the spouse is receiving the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act, the death benefit payable under this section shall be reduced in accordance with the provisions of table No. 1 below by five per centum of the spouse's share of the survivor's insurance benefits under the social security act for each ten dollars of deceased's average weekly wage in excess of one hundred dollars provided that in no case shall such reduction exceed fifty per centum of said spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act.

TABLE No. I

Offset provisions applicable in death benefits

where there is a sole surviving spouse AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE PERCENTAGE OF SPOUSE'S

SHARE OF SURVIVORS

INSURANCE BENEFITS over $100 up to and including $110 ................................... 5 over $110 up to and including $120 .................................. 10 over $120 up to and including $130 .................................. 15 over $130 up to and including $140 .................................. 20 over $140 up to and including $150 .................................. 25 over $150 up to and including $160 .................................. 30 over $160 up to and including $170 .................................. 35 over $170 up to and including $180 .................................. 40 over $180 up to and including $190 .................................. 45 over $190 up to and including $200 .................................. 50 over $200 ........................................................... 50

1-d. If there be a surviving spouse of an employee of a private voluntary hospital killed in a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death, and no child of the deceased under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, and no child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, to such spouse seventy-five per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood, with two years' compensation, in one sum, upon remarriage. Where such death occurs, and the spouse is receiving the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act, the death benefit payable under this section shall be reduced in accordance with the provisions of table No. I in subdivision one-c of this section by five per centum of the spouse's share of the survivor's insurance benefits under the social security act for each ten dollars of deceased's average weekly wage in excess of one hundred dollars; provided that in no case shall such reduction exceed fifty per centum of such spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act.

2. If there be a surviving spouse and a surviving child or children of the deceased under the age of eighteen years or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, and the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, and prior to January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, to such spouse thirty per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood with two years' compensation in one sum, upon remarriage; and the additional amount of twenty per centum of such wages for each such child until the age of eighteen years or until the removal of the dependency of the blind or physically disabled child or children; in case of the subsequent death or remarriage of such surviving spouse any surviving child of the deceased employee, at the time under eighteen years of age or dependent through mental or physical infirmity, shall have his compensation increased to thirty per centum of such wages, and the same shall be payable until he shall reach the age of eighteen years or until such dependent blind or physically disabled condition shall have been removed; provided that the total amount payable shall in no case exceed sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages. Upon statutory termination of compensation payments to all such children, the compensation of the surviving spouse shall be increased to forty per centum of such wages with two years' compensation, at such rate, in one sum, upon remarriage.

If there be a surviving wife (or dependent husband) and any of the aforementioned surviving children, and the death occurred prior to July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, to such wife (or dependent husband) thirty per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood (or dependent widowerhood) with two years' compensation in one sum, upon remarriage; and the additional amount of ten per centum of such wages for each such child until eighteen years of age or until the removal of the dependency of the blind or physically disabled child or children; in case of the subsequent death or remarriage of such surviving wife (or dependent husband) any surviving child of the deceased shall have his compensation increased to fifteen per centum of such wages until he shall reach the age of eighteen years or until such dependent blind or physically disabled condition shall have been removed; provided that the total amount payable shall in no case exceed sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages.

The board may in its discretion require the appointment of a guardian for the purpose of receiving the compensation of a minor child or a dependent blind or physically disabled child. In the absence of such a requirement by the board the appointment of a guardian for such purposes shall not be necessary.

2-a. If there be a surviving spouse and a surviving child under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled and the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, to such spouse thirty-six and two-thirds per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood with two years' compensation in one sum, upon remarriage; and thirty per centum of such wages to such child under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled; in the case of the subsequent death of such surviving spouse the surviving child shall have his compensation increased to sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages and the same shall be payable so long as he is under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled; upon statutory termination of compensation payable to such child, the compensation of the surviving spouse shall be increased to sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages with two years' compensation, at such rate, in one sum, upon remarriage. Upon remarriage of such surviving spouse, the surviving child shall continue to receive thirty per centum of such wages. Where the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight and the spouse is receiving survivors insurance benefits under the social security act, the death benefit payable under this section shall be reduced by five per centum of the spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act for each ten dollars of deceased's average weekly wage in excess of one hundred dollars provided that in no case shall such reduction exceed fifty per centum of said spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act as set forth in table No. I below.

TABLE No. I

Offset provisions applicable in death benefits

where there is a surviving spouse and one child AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE PERCENTAGE OF SPOUSE'S

SHARE OF SURVIVORS

INSURANCE BENEFITS over $100 up to and including $110 ................................... 5 over $110 up to and including $120 .................................. 10 over $120 up to and including $130 .................................. 15 over $130 up to and including $140 .................................. 20 over $140 up to and including $150 .................................. 25 over $150 up to and including $160 .................................. 30 over $160 up to and including $170 .................................. 35 over $170 up to and including $180 .................................. 40 over $180 up to and including $190 .................................. 45 over $190 up to and including $200 .................................. 50 over $200 ........................................................... 50

If there be a surviving spouse and two or more surviving children under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled and a death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, to such spouse thirty-six and two-thirds per centum of the average wage of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood with two years' compensation in one sum upon remarriage; and thirty per centum of such wages to such children under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, share and share alike; in case of the subsequent death of such surviving spouse the surviving children shall have their compensation increased to sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages and the aggregate sum shall be payable, share and share alike, so long as they are under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled. Upon remarriage of such surviving spouse, if there be two surviving children each shall receive twenty-five per centum of such wages, and if there are surviving more than two children under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages share and share alike. Upon statutory termination of compensation payable to such children, the compensation of the surviving spouse shall be increased to sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages with two years' compensation, at such rate, in one sum, upon remarriage. Where the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, and the spouse is receiving survivors insurance benefits under the social security act, the death benefits payable under this section shall be reduced by five per centum of the spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act for each ten dollars of deceased's average weekly wage in excess of one hundred fifty dollars provided that in no case shall such reduction exceed fifty per centum of said spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act as set forth in table No. II below.

TABLE No. II

Offset provisions applicable in death benefits

where there is a surviving spouse and two or more children AVERAGE WEEKLY WAGE PERCENTAGE OF SPOUSE'S

SHARE OF SURVIVORS

INSURANCE BENEFITS over $150 up to and including $160 ................................... 5 over $160 up to and including $170 .................................. 10 over $170 up to and including $180 .................................. 15 over $180 up to and including $190 .................................. 20 over $190 up to and including $200 .................................. 25 over $200 up to and including $210 .................................. 30 over $210 up to and including $220 .................................. 35 over $220 up to and including $230 .................................. 40 over $230 up to and including $240 .................................. 45 over $240 up to and including $250 .................................. 50 over $250 ........................................................... 50

2-b. If there be a surviving spouse of an employee of a private voluntary hospital killed in a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death, and a surviving child under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, to such spouse forty per centum of the average wages of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood, with two years' compensation in one sum, upon remarriage; and thirty-five per centum of such wages to such child under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled; in the case of the subsequent death of such surviving spouse the surviving child shall have his or her compensation increased to seventy-five per centum of such wages and the same shall be payable so long as he or she is under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child of any age dependent blind or physically disabled; upon statutory termination of compensation payable to such child, the compensation of the surviving spouse shall be increased to seventy-five per centum of such wages with two years' compensation, at such rate, in one sum, upon remarriage. Upon remarriage of such surviving spouse, the surviving child shall continue to receive thirty-five per centum of such wages. Where such death occurs, and the spouse is receiving survivors insurance benefits under the social security act, the death benefit payable under this section shall be reduced by five per centum of the spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act for each ten dollars of deceased's average weekly wage in excess of one hundred dollars; provided that in no case shall such reduction exceed fifty per centum of such spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act as set forth in table No. I in subdivision one-c of this section. If there be a surviving spouse of an employee of a private voluntary hospital killed in a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death, and two or more surviving children under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled and a death occurs on or after September eleventh, two thousand one, to such spouse forty per centum of the average wage of the deceased during widowhood or widowerhood with two years' compensation in one sum upon remarriage; and thirty-five per centum of such wages to such children under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled, share and share alike; in case of the subsequent death of such surviving spouse the surviving children shall have their compensation increased to seventy-five per centum of such wages and the aggregate sum shall be payable, share and share alike, so long as they are under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child or children of any age dependent blind or physically disabled. Upon remarriage of such surviving spouse, if there be two surviving children each shall receive thirty-seven and one-half per centum of such wages, and if there are surviving more than two children under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a surviving child or children of any age dependant blind or physically disabled, seventy-five per centum of such wages share and share alike. Upon statutory termination of compensation payable to such children, the compensation of the surviving spouse shall be increased to seventy-five per centum of such wages with two years' compensation, at such rate, in one sum, upon remarriage. Where the death occurs on or after September eleventh, two thousand one, and the spouse is receiving survivors insurance benefits under the social security act, the death benefits payable under this section shall be reduced by five per centum of the spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act for each ten dollars of deceased's average weekly wage in excess of one hundred fifty dollars; provided that in no case shall such reduction exceed fifty per centum of said spouse's share of the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act as set forth in table No. II in subdivision two-a of this section.

3. If there be a surviving child or children of the deceased under the age of eighteen years or a dependent blind or physically disabled child or children of any age, but no surviving spouse then where the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, and prior to January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, for the support of each such child until the age of eighteen years, or until the removal of the dependency of such blind or physically disabled child or children, thirty per centum of the wages of the deceased, and where the death occurred prior to July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, for the support of each such child until the age of eighteen years, or until the removal of the dependency of such blind or physically disabled child or children, fifteen per centum of the wages of the deceased; provided that the aggregate shall in no case exceed sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages.

3-a. If there be a surviving child or children of the deceased under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or a dependent blind or physically disabled child or children of any age, but no surviving spouse then where the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, for the support of such child or children until the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or until the removal of the dependency of such blind or physically disabled child or children, sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of the wages of the deceased. Where there are two or more children, the compensation payable shall be divided among such children share and share alike.

3-b. If there be a surviving child or children, of an employee of a private voluntary hospital killed in a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or a dependent blind or physically disabled child, or children of any age, but no surviving spouse then, where such death occurs, for the support of each such child until the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution or until the removal of the dependency of such blind or physically disabled child or children, seventy-five per centum of the wages of the deceased. Where there are two or more children, the compensation payable shall be divided among such children share and share alike.

4. If there be no surviving spouse or child under the age of eighteen years, or dependent blind or physically disabled child of any age, or if the amount payable to surviving spouse and to children under the age of eighteen years or such dependent blind or physically disabled children shall be less in the aggregate than sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of the average wages of the deceased, then where the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, and prior to January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, for the support of grandchildren or brothers and sisters under the age of eighteen years, if dependent upon the deceased at the time of the accident, twenty-five per centum of such wages for the support of each such person until the age of eighteen years; and for the support of each parent, or grandparent, of the deceased if dependent upon him at the time of the accident, forty per centum of such wages during such dependency; and where the death occurred prior to July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight, to such dependent grandchildren or brothers and sisters, fifteen per centum of such wages until eighteen years of age, and to such dependent parent or grandparent, twenty-five per centum of such wages during dependency. But in no case shall the aggregate amount payable under this subdivision exceed the difference between sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages, and the amount payable as hereinbefore provided to surviving spouse or for the support of surviving child or children.

4-a. If there be no surviving spouse or child under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or dependent blind or physically disabled child of any age, then where the death occurs on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, for the support of grandchildren or brothers and sisters if dependent upon the deceased at the time of the accident, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution, or blind or physically disabled grandchildren or brothers and sisters of any age, twenty-five per centum of such wages for the support of each such person until the age of eighteen years; or until the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution or until the removal of the dependency of such blind or physically disabled grandchildren or brothers and sisters, and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution and for the support of each parent, or grandparent, of the deceased if dependent upon him or her at the time of the accident, forty per centum of such wages during such dependency. But in no case shall the aggregate amount payable under this subdivision exceed sixty-six and two-thirds per centum of such wages.

4-b. If there be no surviving spouse or child under the age of eighteen years or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or dependent blind or physically disabled child of any age or grandchildren or brothers and sisters if dependent upon the deceased at the time of the accident, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full time attendance is certified by such institution or disabled blind or physically disabled grandchildren or brothers and sisters of any age, then a sum of fifty thousand dollars shall be paid to the deceased's surviving parents or if there be no surviving parents to the deceased's estate.

4-c. If there be no surviving spouse or child, or children of an employee of a private voluntary hospital killed in a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or dependent blind or physically disabled child of any age, then where the death occurs on or after September eleventh, two thousand one, for the support of grandchildren or brothers and sisters if dependent upon the deceased at the time of the accident, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or blind or physically disabled grandchildren or brothers and sisters of any age, twenty-five per centum of such wages for the support of each such person until the age of eighteen years; or until the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution, or until the removal of the dependency of such blind or physically disabled grandchildren or brothers and sisters, and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution and for the support of each parent, or grandparent, of the deceased if dependent upon him or her at the time of the accident, forty per centum of such wages during such dependency. But in no case shall the aggregate amount payable under this subdivision exceed seventy-five per centum of such wages.

4-d. If there be no surviving spouse or child, or children of an employee of a private voluntary hospital killed in a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or dependent blind or physically disabled child of any age, or grandchildren or brothers and sisters if dependent upon the deceased at the time of the accident, under the age of eighteen years, or under the age of twenty-three years if enrolled and attending as a full-time student in an accredited educational institution and such enrollment and full-time attendance is certified by such institution, or disabled blind or physically disabled grandchildren or brothers and sisters of any age, then a sum of fifty thousand dollars shall be paid to the deceased's surviving parents or if there be no surviving parents to the deceased's estate.

5. Any excess of wages over: (1) seven hundred fifty dollars shall not be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, two thousand seven, (2) eight hundred twenty-five dollars shall not be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, two thousand eight, (3) nine hundred dollars shall not be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, two thousand nine, and (4) where the death occurs on or after July first, two thousand ten, or when the death occurs on or after July first of each succeeding year, an amount equal to the New York state average weekly wage for the year in which it is reported shall not be taken into account in computing compensation under this section. Any excess of wages over five hundred ten dollars and five cents per week shall not be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred ninety, nor shall any excess of wages over five hundred twenty-five dollars per week be taken into account in computing compensation pursuant to this section in cases where death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred ninety-one, nor shall any excess of wages over six hundred dollars per week be taken into account in computing compensation pursuant to this section in cases where death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred ninety-two with the exception that wages earned over six hundred dollars per week shall be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases involving an employee of a private voluntary hospital resulting from a World Trade Center rescue, who passed a physical examination upon employment as a rescue worker that failed to reveal evidence of a condition that was the proximate cause of death; nor shall any excess of wages over three hundred eighty-two dollars and fifty cents per week be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred eighty-three, nor shall any excess of wages over four hundred twelve dollars and fifty cents per week be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred eighty-four, nor shall any excess of wages over four hundred fifty dollars per week be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurs on or after July first, nineteen hundred eighty-five; nor shall any excess of wages over one hundred eighty-seven dollars and fifty cents per week on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight or over two hundred seventy dollars per week on or after July first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight or over three hundred twenty-two dollars and fifty cents per week on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-nine, and prior to July first, nineteen hundred eighty-three, be taken into account in computing compensation under this section nor shall any excess of wages over six hundred and seventeen dollars and fifty cents a month be taken into account in computing compensation under this section in cases where the death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred seventy-four, and prior to January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, nor shall any excess of wages over five hundred and twenty dollars a month be taken into account in computing compensation in cases where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred seventy and prior to July first, nineteen hundred seventy-four, nor shall any excess of wages over four hundred and fifty-five dollars a month be taken into account in computing compensation in cases where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred sixty-eight and prior to July first, nineteen hundred seventy, nor shall any excess of wages over three hundred and ninety dollars a month be taken into account in computing compensation in cases where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred sixty-five and prior to July first, nineteen hundred sixty-eight, nor shall any excess of wages over three hundred and fifty-seven dollars and fifty cents a month be taken into account in computing compensation in cases where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred sixty-two and prior to July first, nineteen hundred sixty-five, nor shall any excess of wages over three hundred and twenty-five dollars a month be taken into account in computing compensation in cases where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred sixty and prior to July first, nineteen hundred sixty-two, nor shall any excess of wages over two hundred and ninety-two dollars and fifty cents a month be taken into account in computing compensation where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-eight and prior to July first, nineteen hundred sixty, nor shall any excess of wages over two hundred and sixty dollars a month be taken into account in computing compensation where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred fifty-four and prior to July first, nineteen hundred fifty-eight, nor shall any excess of wages over two hundred and twenty-seven dollars and fifty cents a month be taken into account in computing compensation where death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight and prior to July first, nineteen hundred fifty-four, nor shall any excess of wages over one hundred and eighty-two dollars a month be taken into account in computing compensation where the death occurred on or after June first, nineteen hundred forty-six and prior to July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight. When death occurred on or after July first, nineteen hundred forty-eight and prior to January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, computing compensation to the widow or widower and children of a deceased employee in no event shall wages be deemed to be less than one hundred and thirty dollars a month. All questions of dependency shall be determined as of the time of the accident. When death occurred on or after January first, nineteen hundred seventy-eight, in no event shall wages be deemed to be less than forty-five dollars a week in computing compensation to the widow or widower and/or children of the deceased employee.

6. If there be a person entitled to death benefits under the provisions of this section, who shall be under the age of eighteen years, and who shall be an inmate of any institution and a public charge upon the department of social services of the city of New York, or any other department or body, the benefits allowed hereunder shall be payable to the said department of public welfare of the city of New York or any other department or body to the extent of the reasonable charges for the care and maintenance, during the continuance as a public charge in said institution, of said beneficiary and until the said person shall have attained the age of eighteen years. Any sum or sums remaining after the said payment out of the benefits shall be distributed as provided by the other subdivisions of this section.

7. In computing the offsets under subdivisions one-c and two-a of this section any increase in survivors insurance benefits under social security that occurs after the date of death shall not be considered, and any such offset shall be equally applicable to the survivors insurance benefits under the social security act which are received retroactively but such offset shall not apply to increases of such benefits received retroactively.