FEMA offering to reimburse COVID related funeral costs

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The Federal Emergency Management Agency yesterday began accepting applications for their new Funeral Assistance Program.

FEMA is reimbursing individuals or families who incurred COVID-19 related funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020. The funding for the program comes from the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Act.

To apply, individuals can call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line at 844-864-6333 or the TTY number at 800-462-7585.

To be eligible for funeral assistance, you must meet these conditions:

• The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
• The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
• The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
• There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.

If you had COVID-19 funeral expenses, FEMA encourages you to keep and gather documentation, such as an official death certificate, funeral expenses documents, and proof of funds received from other sources.

Those eligible for funeral assistance will receive a check by mail or direct deposit.

For more information, you can visit FEMA’s website here.