FEMA will begin providing financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 involving COVID-19-related deaths.
FEMA officials say the assistance will begin in early April to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic. Funds from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 will assist families.
According to FEMA, in order to be eligible for assistance, the applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19. The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States.
The assistance is limited to a maximum financial amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. It is intended to cover funeral service expenses, and interment or cremation.
An official death certificate must attribute the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States. All funeral expense documents should be provided in the application, along with proof of funds received from other sources used toward funeral costs.
A dedicated 800 number will be established in the coming weeks to help individuals apply. Until then, more information can be found online at COVID-19 Funeral Assistance | FEMA.gov.
