The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) — the government agency handling the burial cost program for COVID-related funeral costs — released its policy for the program, reports AARP’s recent article entitled “FEMA to Help Cover Funeral Costs for COVID Victims.”
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for so many people,” Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton said in a statement. “Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate.”
Note that FEMA has already had reports of scammers reaching out individuals claiming to offer help applying for this funeral assistance. If anyone contacts you about this program before you have personally registered for aid, it’s a scam. FEMA says it won’t reach out to people prior to registration.
The maximum amount of financial aid available for COVID-related funeral costs is $9,000 per funeral. This assistance can be used to help with expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation. FEMA has said that a death must meet at least these criteria to qualify for aid:
- The death certificate must state that the death was caused by COVID-19
- The death happened in the U.S.; and
- The person applying for funeral assistance must be either a U.S. citizen, a non-citizen national, or a qualified alien, who incurred the funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
FEMA is taking calls for assistance applying for funeral aid at 844-684-6333 between the hours of 8am and 8pm Central time, Monday through Friday.
FEMA says if you had any COVID-related funeral costs last year, you should make sure to collect all the documentation for all of your costs. This includes:
- An official death certificate that links the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows the death occurred in the U.S.
- Funeral expense documents, like receipts or a funeral home contract that include your name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of the funeral expenses and the dates those expenses were incurred; and
- Proof of funds received from other sources that went specifically toward the cost of the funeral.
This assistance program won’t be able to give you money for costs that were paid for by burial or funeral insurance or with financial aid received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources. If you need assistance with the administration of the estate of your loved one, give our office a call.
If you qualify for funeral assistance for COVID-related funeral costs, you can receive a payment by mail or through direct deposit when you apply for aid.
Reference: AARP (April 7, 2021) “FEMA to Help Cover Funeral Costs for COVID Victims”
