FEMA helps with funeral expenses for family members who are victims of Covid
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has a funeral cost assistance program for surviving family members of fatalities from Covid 19.
With a program little known because it was not widely promoted, FEMA approved since June last year the plan to help the families of people who lost their lives due to the coronavirus to pay for funerals.
But although the program was approved in June, it is retroactive to January 2020.
“FEMA provides financial assistance for Covid 19-related funeral expenses incurred as of January 20, 2020,” the same day that President Joe Biden took office, the agency reported.
If you who read need such assistance or know someone who needs such assistance, you can dial and provide the toll-free number 1-844-684-6333.
FEMA representatives answer the program by phone from 12 noon to 12 midnight San Diego time.
They have operators that help in 12 languages, including Spanish.
The basic documents you need are:
Official death certificate, showing that the death occurred in the United States.
If the death occurred between January 20 and May 16, 2020, you will need the certificate to attribute the death directly or indirectly to Covid 19, and the certificate will have to be accompanied by a statement signed by the original certifier of the certificate death certificate or the local medical examiner. The information can be obtained by calling the number 211.
If the death was after May 16 of last year, you only need the death certificate to attribute the death directly or indirectly to Covid 19.
If you are eligible for funeral assistance, you will receive funds by direct deposit or a check in the mail, depending on the option you chose when you applied for assistance.
If the person who died was undocumented in the country, they could receive the aid, as FEMA does not establish as a requirement in the death certificate that the immigration status of the fatal victim by Covid 19 is established.
