As directed by Coronavirus Response and Relief (12/27/2020) and American Rescue Plant Act (03/11/2021), FEMA will reimburse up to $9,000 in funeral expenses for people who passed away due to Covid after January 20, 2020.
Update 6/29/2021: If the death occurred between 1/20/2020 and 5/16/2020, and the death certificate does not state Covid as a likely cause, FEMA no longer requires an amended death. All that is needed is a letter or statement from the death certificate’s certifying official, medical examiner, or coroner, that attributes the death to Covid-19. If the death happened after 5/16/2020, and the death certificate does not show Covid as a likely cause of death, an amended death certificate is still needed.
Eligibility
There are requirements for both the applicant (the one who paid for the funeral costs) and the deceased (the one who passed away).
Applicant
- U.S. citizen (or non-citizen national or qualified alien)
- Paid for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020 (bills/receipts should be in this person’s name)
Deceased
- Death certificates says that death may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19.(Doesn’t have to be definite – “may have been caused by” or “was likely a result of” COVID 19 or “COVID-19 like symptoms” and similar phrases are sufficient)
- Passed away in the United States
- There is no requirement for the deceased person to have been a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien.
How to Apply
Call 844-684-6333 (9am-9pm EST)
Note: The phone lines have been very busy for the first few days since they launched the program. Consider calling at exactly 9:00am.
Prepare the following information before you call:
- Applicant information
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Mailing address
- Telephone number
- Routing and account number of the applicant’s checking or savings account (for direct deposit)
- Gross household income. There is no income eligibility amount – it’s just a standard question that FEMA asks for all disaster relief applications.
- Deceased Information
- Social Security number
- Date of birth
- Location or address where the deceased individual passed away
- Funding Information
- The total amount of funeral-related expenses (no need to have the expenses broken down at this stage)
- If you received other assistance specifically for funeral expenses, you need to tell the representative about it. Life insurance is not specifically for funeral expenses, so you don’t need to mention it.
After You Apply
You will need to submit the following documentation:
- Death Certificate
- Funeral expenses
- Receipts must include the applicant’s name as the person responsible for the expense, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and be dated after January 20, 2020.
- Other sources of Funeral Assistance
- Only if you received other financial assistance specifically for funeral expenses.
Getting the Funds
If you are eligible for funeral assistance you will receive a check by mail or direct deposit, depending on which option you choose when you apply for assistance, up to a maximum of $9,000 per deceased person.
Notes
- If you paid for more than one funeral
- An applicant may receive Funeral Assistance for actual funeral costs up to $9,000 for each COVID-19 related funeral for which they are responsible.
- If more than one person paid for a funeral
- They should apply together (the person who calls should have the information for both)
- Amended Death Certificate
- If the death certificate doesn’t attribute the death to COVID-19, and you think it should, you can get the death certificate amended
Further Guidance
Originally published: 4/15/2021. Last updated 7/4/2021