FEMA Provides Funeral Assistance for Those Who Have Lost Loved Ones to COVID-19

Unfortunately, it has now become somewhat of a cliché, but this has been a very tough year for many of us and our family, friends, and clients. Our prayers go out especially to all of those who have lost loved ones to the terrible COVID-19 pandemic. In a little publicized part of the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, Congress directed FEMA to provide financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after January 20, 2020, for decedents that have died as a result of COVID-19. FEMA will begin taking applications for this assistance on April 12, 2021.

To be eligible for funeral assistance, 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.

To apply, one must call the following phone number (after April 12, 2021) to obtain an application: 844-684-6333. More information can be obtained at the following website: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

As in other areas, please be aware of scams surrounding this program. FEMA will not contact anyone until they have called FEMA or have applied for assistance. Do not disclose information such as the name, birth date or social security number of any deceased family member to any unsolicited telephone calls or e-mails from anyone claiming to be a federal employee or from FEMA.

Please feel free to contact one of us at Decker Vonau, LLC to discuss this program further.