UPDATE DECEMBER 27, 2021:
BOSTON (AP) — Families who have lost loved ones to COVID-19 can apply for reimbursement from the federal government for up to $9,000 to cover the cost of funeral expenses. The Federal Emergency Management Agency has spent nearly $1.5 billion on funeral reimbursements since Jan. 20, 2020, the date of the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the U.S. As of Dec. 6, 226,000 people have received money. With more than 800,000 deaths attributed to COVID-19 in the U.S., it’s clear that many families who are eligible for reimbursement have yet to take advantage of the benefit.
ORIGINAL STORY DECEMBER 6, 2021:
FEMA continues to provide financial assistance for funeral expenses incurred after Jan. 20, 2020, for deaths related to COVID-19 to help ease some of the financial stress and burden caused by the pandemic.
Figures released at the beginning of last month (Nov. 1-5, 2021), show 529 South Dakotans have received more than $3.8 million in assistance.
This assistance includes reimbursement for, but is not limited to cremation, burial expenses, transfer of remains, markers or headstones, transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual and other costs.
Up to $9,000 per funeral is available for eligible expenses, with a maximum of $35,500 per application. There is currently no end date for this program.
To apply, call FEMA at 844-684-6333, TTY: 800-462-7585. This is a special, dedicated toll-free phone number to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance with help from FEMA representatives. It is open Monday through Friday, 7am-7pm MT. Multilingual services are available.
You must be a US citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien to apply. However, there is no eligibility requirement for the deceased person to have been a US citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.
For more information about FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.
To see a list of continuously updated frequently asked questions visit https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq.
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