Starting today (4/12/21) the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin accepting financial assistance applications for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020 for deaths related to the coronavirus according to a press release from the agency. The assistance is designed to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.

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If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, FEMA asks that you keep and gather documentation of any related information. According to FEMA that would include the following:

  • An official death certificate that attributes the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.

  • Funeral expenses documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that includes the applicant’s name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses happened.

  • Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. We are not able to duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.

The applications then get submitted through a dedicated call center called the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number. Call 844-684-6333 between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 9:00 p.m. Eastern Time Monday through Friday.

For those who are determined to be eligible for assistance, they will receive a check in the mail or a direct deposit of funds. You can choose which option you want when you apply.

Find out more from the Funeral Assistance Fact Sheet. You can also visit www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance for more info.

Here's something to be aware of regarding FEMA Funeral Assistance. FEMA has received reports of scammers pretending to be FEMA and offering people assistance registering for the Funeral Assistance Funding. FEMA says they are NOT reaching out with the offer of registration help. You need to register through their website only.

 

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