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The COVID-19 pandemic has brought overwhelming grief to many. If you incurred funeral expenses on or after January 20, 2020 for an individual whose death may have been caused by, or was likely the result of, COVID-19, you may be eligible for up to $9,000 per deceased individual in reimbursement from FEMA.
Examples of eligible expenses may include:
Transfer of remains
Burial plot or cremation niche
Casket or urn
Marker or headstone
Clergy or officiant services
Use of funeral home equipment or staff
Cremation or interment costs
To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance from FEMA, you must meet these conditions:
The death occurred in the United States
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien
The death certificate must attribute the death to COVID-19
If the death occurred between January 20, 2020 and May 16, 2020, and the death certificate doesn’t attribute the death to COVID-19, you may submit a signed statement from the medical official who certified the death certificate, or the local coroner or medical examiner, linking the cause of death to COVID-19.
To apply for funeral assistance, you must call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline at 844-684-6333 between 9 a.m. and 9 p.m. Eastern Time. Make sure you have the following information available:
Your name, social security number, date of birth, mailing address and contact phone numbers
Name, social security number and date of birth for each deceased individual
Location or address where the individual died
Documentation and receipts for funeral assistance received from other sources, including burial or funeral insurance, donations, other government programs or non-profit organizations
Name and information of up to one co-applicant, if anyone besides you incurred funeral expenses for the deceased individual
When you call the FEMA helpline, it will take about 20 minutes to apply. Once you receive your FEMA application number, you may submit required documentation online or by mail. If you are approved, you will receive funds by direct deposit or a check by mail, depending on which option you chose when you applied.
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