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FEMA Offers Funeral Assistance for COVID-Related Deaths

Posted on: May 28, 2021 - 12:34pm

MASSACHUSETTS--On April 12th, the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) began accepting applications for its Funeral Assistance Program.

The FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program allows for funeral assistance for any COVID-19 related death after January 20, 2020. The program will assist with expenses up to $9,000 per funeral, up to a maximum of $35,000 if applicants are applying for assistance related to more than one death.

Here are some key points about the program:

  • FEMA’s call center can be reached Monday – Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time, toll free at 1-844-684-6333, and through TTY at 1-800-462-7585. The call center can take calls in multiple languages.
  • There is currently no deadline to apply for this benefit.
  • To be eligible for FEMA's funeral assistance benefit, you must meet these conditions:
  • The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
  • The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
  • The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
  • There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
  • The program is open to all who qualify, regardless of their income.

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health created a webpage with more information about the program, links to FEMA guidance, fact sheets in multiple languages, and information about obtaining or amending a death certificate in Massachusetts: https://www.mass.gov/info-details/covid-19-funeral-assistance.