News from FEMA re: COVID19 funeral assistance

Financial assistance for funerals is available to families in which someone has died from COVID19. While there is no deadline to apply for this assistance, the Federal Emergency Management Administration (FEMA) has announced upcoming changes to the program. 

After someone initially applies for COVID-19 funeral assistance, FEMA sends reminders to them to submit their documentation throughout the application process. The agency also reaches out by phone to anyone with an incomplete application to address any concerns in completing their application. Beginning this month, FEMA will notify applicants who have not submitted all required information and documentation that their applications will be moved to a suspended status 365 days after they initially applied for assistance. Notifications will be sent to applicants via auto-dialer by phone, email or text message up to 60 days in advance of the 365-day submission deadline. Applicants who still do not provide all documentation within this timeframe will receive a letter from FEMA informing them their application for COVID-19 funeral assistance is in a suspended status. In April, FEMA will begin placing applications that remain incomplete after at least 365 days in a suspended status. This change allows the agency to focus attention on individuals who intend to finalize their application and avoids repeated contact to anyone who may no longer wish to continue this process. They can reactivate their application, without appeal, by submitting the required documents.
 
Since starting to provide COVID-19 funeral assistance in April 2021, FEMA has provided more than $1.8 billion to approximately 274,000 people.  More than 924,000 people have died from COVID19 in the U.S. To apply for assistance or ask questions about an existing application, individuals are encouraged to call 844-684-6333, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday - Friday, ET. Multilingual services are available. Callers who use a relay service, such as a videophone, should provide FEMA with the specific number assigned to them for that service. Applicants may also visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance