THE Federal Emergency Management Agency is offering funeral assistance for Covid-19-related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020.
President Joe Biden approved funding for Covid-19-related funeral expenses incurred on or after January 20, 2020, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
“The Covid-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. We are dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus,” FEMA stated.
Eligible Covid-19 funeral assistance expenses typically include, but are not limited to, funeral services, cremation, interment, transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual, transfer of remains, casket or urn; burial plot or cremation niche; marker or headstone; clergy or officiant services; arrangement of the funeral ceremony; use of funeral home equipment or staff; costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates; and additional expenses mandated by any applicable local or state government laws or ordinances.
Eligibility
Those who may qualify for this Covid-19 funeral assistance are U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals, or qualified aliens who incurred funeral expenses on or after January 20, 2020.
This may also include funeral expenses incurred for an individual whose death in the U.S., including the U.S. territories or the District of Columbia, may have been caused by or was likely the result of Covid-19.
A minor child who is a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien, can apply if they directly incurred funeral expenses for a Covid-19-related death and the documentation supports that assertion.
Those who cannot apply for this Covid-19 funeral assistance include temporary tourist visa holders, foreign students, temporary work visa holders; states, tribes, territories, businesses, organizations, and other entities; a minor child applying on behalf of an adult who is not a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien; and citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands
If you incurred Covid-19-related funeral expenses for more than one individual, you may receive at a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual and a maximum of $35,500 per application, if you incurred funeral expenses for multiple deceased individuals per state, U.S. territory, or the District of Columbia.
Funeral homes are not eligible to apply on your behalf or to be a co-applicant on your Covid-19 Funeral Assistance application.
The person applying must be an individual, not a business or other entity, who incurred Covid-19-related funeral expenses.
How to Apply
Applicants can apply by calling 1-844-684-6333 or 1-800-462-7585 from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday to Friday Chamorro Standard Time.
No online applications will be accepted.
When you call, it will take about 20 minutes to apply. You can ask questions and receive the help you need with the application process as well as referral information for grief support.
For more information, visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
