Jessica Schladebeck
New York Daily News
WASHINGTON — The Federal Emergency Management Agency has announced it will provide financial assistance to help cover funeral costs for people who have died of COVID-19.
Officials on Wednesday said they will offer up to $9,000 per funeral to help cover expenses related to coronavirus deaths that occurred between Jan. 20 and Dec. 31, 2020. Americans who lost multiple family members can apply for up to a maximum of $35,000, according to a press release.
“At FEMA, our mission is to help people before, during and after disasters,” Acting FEMA Administrator Bob Fenton said in a statement. “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for so many people. Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate.”
The agency said in the coming weeks it would be establishing a hotline and full-scale call center for interested parties, but encouraged those seeking to apply to begin collecting documents like death certificates, receipts and expense documents and documentation of funds from other sources.
The program is also intended to cover cremation fees as well as internment costs.
FEMA has set aside $2 billion dollars to reimburse “individuals and households” for deaths linked to the pandemic. The funds allocated in the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021.
Eligible recipients will receive a check by mail or via direct deposit depending on the choice they make when they apply for assistance.
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