WASHINGTON D.C. (WBAP/KLIF News) – As the United States recently hit another grim milestone in its battle against COVID-19 with about 550,000 deaths since the start of the pandemic, the Federal Emergency Management Agency is now offering financial assistance for funeral expenses related to the virus.
Starting today, April 1st, FEMA said it will provide Americans up to $9,000 in aid per funeral or $35,500 per application. Some U.S. families have lost several relatives to the virus.
The money will help pay for numerous expenses related to funerals including the transfer of remains, caskets or urns, burial plot or cremation niche, headstones and other costs.
FEMA announced several stipulations applicants must meet to qualify for aid:
- Applicants must be U.S. citizens, non-citizen national or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20,2020. The person who died does not have to be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national or qualified alien.
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia and the death certificate must state that the passing was attributed to COVID-19.
The agency is asking citizens to save all documentation related to the death including the official death certificate and receipts from funeral homes.
All eligible applicants can choose to receive the funds via direct deposit or a check by mail.
FEMA said it’s working on establishing a phone number where applications can also be filed. There is no set deadline to apply for aid.
Click here for more information or to apply.
Texas has been hit particularly hard by the COVID-19 pandemic. Since the pandemic’s start last year, almost 50,000 Texans have died from the virus.
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