On April 12, FEMA will officially begin accepting applications for funeral assistance for deaths that occurred as a result of COVID-19. The assistance will be offered similarly with normal funeral assistance claims following a natural disaster.
For a death to be considered for funeral assistance, it must have occurred after January 2020.
Eligible applicants may apply by calling 844-684-6333 or TTY: 800-462-7585 toll free, Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. CT. Applicants must provide FEMA with a copy of the death certificate, proof of funeral expenses incurred and proof of funeral assistance received from any other source.
Assistance is available to U.S. citizens, non-citizen nationals and qualified aliens such as green card holders, asylees, refugees, and others – who provide the required information and COVID related documents. Eligible applicants, living in the United States, U.S. territories and the District of Columbia, will be reimbursed for up to $9,000 for each funeral.
Due to the large number of applicants expected and additional case work questions that may arise, the funeral assistance task force established a process to handle all inquiries.
Eligible COVID-19-related funeral expenses are covered under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021.
For more information visit the agency’s funeral assistance web page.
