How to apply for COVID-19 reimbursement for funeral
A nationwide program to help families pay for the costs of burying their loved ones lost to the coronavirus launched Monday.
The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program is being run by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, using funds from a coronavirus relief act passed by Congress.
To be eligible, an applicant must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or legal permanent resident — though there is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a citizen. Officials will give up to $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application. The money is intended to help reimburse expenses for funeral services and interment or cremation.
The death must have occurred after Jan. 20, 2020, in the U.S., including its territories, and have COVID-19 listed on the death certificate. The certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result
of” COVID-19 or COVID19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of the illness are considered sufficient.
To apply, people should call 844-684-6333 (TTY 800-462-7585).
The agency is encouraging people dealing with COVID-19 funeral expenses to keep and gather related documentation, including death certificates, receipts and funeral home contracts and proof of funds received from other sources. (FEMA will not be able to duplicate benefits received from
burial or funeral insurance or financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies or other sources.)
FEMA noted it has received reports of scammers reaching out to people to register them for funeral assistance. The agency has not sent out any such notifications, officials emphasized, and does not contact people before they register for help.
About 1 in 5 Americans say they’ve lost a relative or close friend to the coronavirus, according to a poll
released last month. Black and Hispanic respondents were more likely to have known someone, and people with incomes under $30,000 were more likely than those with higher incomes.
In Virginia as of Monday, 10,486 people have died from COVID-19.
You can find more information on the FEMA program at fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/ funeral-assistance.