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Source: PRESS RELEASE, 3/24/21 In early April, FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020 for deaths related to coronavirus (COVID-19) to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. The policy was finalized today, and FEMA is now moving rapidly to implement this funeral assistance program nationwide."At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters," said Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for so many people. Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate." To
be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:
- The applicant must be a U.S.
citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral
expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
- If multiple individuals contributed
toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as
applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from
other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may
have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the
deceased individual.
- An applicant may apply for multiple
deceased individuals.
- The COVID-19-related death must
have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the
District of Columbia.
- This assistance is limited to a
maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500
per application.
- Funeral assistance is intended to
assist with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.
In
the coming weeks, a dedicated 800 number will be established to help
individuals who apply. In the meantime, potential applicants are encouraged to
start gathering the following documentation:
- An
official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient attribution.
- Funeral
expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses and dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
- Proof
of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward
funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits
received from burial or funeral insurance,
financial assistance received from voluntary agencies,
federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or
other sources.
For
more information about this assistance, visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov.
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