The program was launched by Congress to help people cope with various impacts of the pandemic. | Pixabay/Carolyn Booth
The program was launched by Congress to help people cope with various impacts of the pandemic. | Pixabay/Carolyn Booth
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) announced that, under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, and the American Rescue Plan Act, it is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020.
The Washington Informer reported that D.C. Department of Homeland Security Director Dr. Chris Rodriguez said that the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program was launched by Congress to help people cope with various impacts of the pandemic.
"Under a FEMA program established by Congress, nearly $26 million in COVID-19 funeral assistance has been provided to 3,700+ SC families impacted by this pandemic," U.S. Rep. James E. Clyburn tweeted Oct. 7. "It cannot erase their grief, but this program can ease the financial burdens associated with losing a loved one."
Qualifying applicants must be a U.S. citizen, noncitizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses on or after Jan. 2020, and the funeral expenses must be for someone whose COVID-19 death occurred in the U.S., including the territories and the District, according to FEMA.
Funeral assistance goes to the eligible applicant who incurred the costs of the event and the applicant doesn’t need to be related to the decedent.
Only one person should apply for assistance for an individual's funeral expenses and documentation must be submitted from everyone who contributed to the funeral's financial costs. Businesses and organizations are not eligible for the program.
According to The Washington Informer, the program can approve up to a maximum of $9,000 per decedent, and $35,500 per application.
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