Photo by CDC on Unsplash
As of March 22, 548,171 people living in the United States died of COVID-19, and 27,796 of those deaths occurred in Genesee County.
FEMA’s (Federal Emergency Management Agency) mission is to help people before, during and after disasters. According to FEMA’s website, the agency is “dedicated to helping ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the (COVID-19) virus.”
FEMA recently announced the funeral assistance program on its website. 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 COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020, according to the agency’s website. Eligible family members of those who died due to COVID-19 may soon be eligible for funeral assistance and will receive a check by mail or funds by direct deposit.
Death certificate of the deceased must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19. Also, the death must have occurred in the United States, including United States territories. Other required pieces of documentation may include receipts or a funeral home contract, which should include the applicant’s name as well as other important information.
Instead of having individuals apply online for the funeral assistance, they will be calling a dedicated 1-800 phone number.
According to Bob Benton, acting FEMA administrator the agency will begin to implement the program in early April.
Further details and the 1-800 phone number will be available at this link: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.
