By Emily Chavez, MSN News
People who need aid covering the financial costs of funerals for loved ones who died of COVID-19 may be eligible for up to $7,000 in assistance, according to the AARP.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is still finalizing the details about what people need to do to apply for relief. But FEMA has announced that it will start the program in April, so the application process will begin soon.
Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA will provide financial assistance for COVID19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020.
Specifics of eligibility have no been finalized, but FEMA has said that a death must meet at least these criteria to qualify for aid:
The death certificate must indicate the death was caused by COVID-1.
The death happened in the United States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
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.
There is no requirement that the deceased person was a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.
While the program is set to start in April, FEMA has not yet released details about the application process other than saying the agency will start accepting applications next month.
On March 25, FEMA is expected to participate in a webinar with the National Funeral Directors Association in which more specifics could be released.
FEMA has said that if you had COVID-19 funeral expenses last year, you should make sure to gather documentation for all of your costs. That should include:
An official death certificate that ties the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 and shows the death occurred in the United States, including the District of Columbia and U.S. territories.
Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include your name, the deceased person’s name, the amount of the funeral expenses, and the dates those expenses were incurred.
Proof of funds received from other sources that went specifically toward the cost of the funeral. The COVID-19 assistance program will not 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.
So far, FEMA has said that if you qualify for funeral assistance, you may choose to receive a payment by mail or through direct deposit when you apply for aid.
FEMA is working to set up a dedicated toll-free phone number that can be used to apply for funeral assistance. More information will be available on their website soon.