Under the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA is providing financial assistance for COVID-19 related funeral costs. The benefit is a maximum of $9,000 per deceased individual or $35,500 per applicant for multiple deaths.

As of January 3, 2022, FEMA received 9,077 applications from Alabama and awarded a total of $40 million on 5,962 awards.

The requirements are relatively straight forward. No online applications are accepted.

Required Documents

• Official death certificate that shows the death occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and District of Columbia.
• If the death certificate was issued between Jan. 20 and May 16, 2020, it must either 1) attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19 or 2) be accompanied by a signed statement from the original certifier of the death certificate or the local medical examiner or coroner from the jurisdiction in which the death occurred listing COVID-19 as a cause or contributing cause of death. This signed statement must provide an additional explanation, or causal pathway, linking the cause of death listed on the death certificate to COVID-19.
• If the death certificate occurred on or after May 17, 2020, the death certificate must attribute the death directly or indirectly to COVID-19.

What information do I need to provide when I apply?

You will need to provide the following information when you call the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Helpline to apply for assistance:

• Social Security number for the applicant and the deceased individual
• Date of birth for the applicant and the deceased individual
• Current mailing address for the applicant
• Current telephone number for the applicant
• Location or address where the individual died
• Information about burial costs and funeral insurance policies
• Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations, CARES Act grants, and assistance from voluntary organizations
• Routing and account number of the applicant’s checking or savings account (for direct deposit) – optional

If you are eligible, you can receive funds by direct deposit or mail whichever you choose.

See the attached link for details https://www.fema.gov/disaster/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance

It is sad, but FEMA is aware that people are using the program in an attempt at identity theft.  If you receive an unsolicited call, please hang up and report it to FEMA’s helpline at 800-621-3362 or the National Center for Fraud Hotline at 866-720-5721.