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While I certainly do hope that you stay healthy and survive this pandemic, we cannot ignore the number who have not. While money will not diminish the grief, it might show that others care, and want to help. The information below explains the Funeral Relief Provisions of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it will begin applications for reimbursement for funeral expenses of deaths due to COVID 19.
Here are some questions and answers. Please know that the details below are all the details I have. To check for updates to the program, visit FEMA’s website.
https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance
===Questions and Answers==========
Q: Who will qualify to have their funeral costs reimbursed?
A: Only those families/persons who experienced a death that was caused by Covid. Covid must be explicitly listed on the death certificate as the cause of death.
Q: Did the death from Covid have to occur within a certain time frame to qualify?
A: Yes. The death must have occurred after January 20, 2020. It appears this program will be available for Covid deaths throughout 2021 and beyond. From FEMA:
"Passing of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 now makes it possible for families and individuals who incur funeral expenses due to COVID-19 in 2021 and beyond the ability to apply for Funeral Assistance. Since there is no way to predict how many COVID-related deaths may occur between now and 2025, an exact funding cap has not been established."
Q: Will FEMA advance me money upfront to pay for a Covid death funeral?
A: No. Do not contract for a funeral that you cannot afford, assuming that you’ll get a grant to pay that funeral in time. You will have to pay for the funeral yourself first, in any case.
Q: How much will FEMA reimburse?
A: Up to $9,000. But I am uncertain, as these reports contradict the language in the federal legislation that authorized this money. That legislation gives a different amount. I have not received an answer about this discrepancy.
NOTE!—FEMA will NOT reimburse funeral costs that you have already found money to pay for. For example, if you had a life insurance policy that covered part or all of the cost, or if you did a fundraiser to help pay for the funeral, you will not be reimbursed by FEMA for the money from the insurance or the fundraiser.
Q: What agency should I call to start my application?
A: You must call FEMA’s dedicated line, 844-684-6333. There is no online application. You must apply by phone.
Q: What should I do to prepare for filing my application?
A: I suggest you gather the following. This is advice based on my/our experience, but we do not know for certain what documentation FEMA will require.
—A certified copy of the death certificate. Remember that Covid must be explicitly listed as the cause of death.
—A copy of the complete funeral contract, itemized bill, and documentation of any payment you made on that bill. For example, canceled checks, credit card statements, etc.
—Documentation of any and all sources of money you received that helped you pay for some or all of the funeral. This includes things like receipts showing your fundraising total, or copies of any payments the deceased’s life insurance company made toward the funeral.
Check back here for new details as they become available.
This post was published with help from a non-profit organization known as the Funeral Consumer Alliance. FCA also has a local Pennsylvania affiliate at https://www.fcapa.org
Tags: Financial, Community Resources, Funeral.
