Pamela Cruz. Peninsula 360 Press [P360].
In an effort to provide some relief from the economic pressure and burden that the pandemic is causing, in early April, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began providing financial assistance to cover funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020, as a result of deaths related to COVID-19 disease caused by the new SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus.
"At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters," said the agency's acting administrator, Bob Fenton.
The official added that the COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for many people. "Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial costs that many families did not anticipate.
FEMA policy states that in order to be eligible for assistance, certain aspects must be covered:
- Applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020 as a result of any death attributed to COVID-19.
- If more than one person contributed to funeral expenses, they must apply under the same application. FEMA will also consider documents provided by other persons who are not listed as applicant and co-applicant but who have incurred funeral expenses for the deceased person for whom assistance is requested.
- An applicant may request assistance for more than one deceased person.
- The death attributed to COVID-19 must have occurred in the U.S. - which includes all U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
- Assistance is limited to a maximum monetary amount of nine thousand per funeral service and up to a maximum of 35 thousand per request.
- The assistance is intended to help cover funeral, burial or cremation expenses.
Applicants must also keep and compile the following documentation:
- An official death certificate attributing the death to COVID-19 and showing that the death occurred in the U.S. The death certificate must state that the death "may have been caused by", "possibly as a result of" COVID-19 or symptoms similar to those generated by the SARS-CoV-2 virus, or other similar phrases indicating a high likelihood of such disease will be considered sufficient.
- Funeral expense documents - receipts, funeral home contract, etc. - that include the claimant's name, the name of the deceased, the amount of funeral expenses and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
- Evidence of funds received from other sources to be used specifically for funeral expenses.
For more information on this assistance, interested parties can visit the COVID-19 Assistance website at FEMA.gov.
To apply for assistance, call 1-844-684-6333 (TTY 1-800-462-7585), which is open Monday through Friday from 6:00 am to 6:00 pm.
