FEMA expands eligibility for COVID funeral funding

FEMA has announced new pathways for individuals to apply for funeral funds stemming from COVID-19 related deaths. AP Photo by John Minchillo

By Rachel Vick

A change in the Federal Emergency Management Agency policy has expanded eligibility for individuals looking to have funeral costs for COVID-19-related deaths reimbursed.

Applicants for funeral aid from deaths in the earliest days of the pandemic can now make their claim with a signed confirmation from an official source instead of changing information on the death certificate.

"From the start, we stressed to FEMA that this program needed to put accessibility first,” said U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer and U.S. Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez. “We cannot have families, who have already lost so much, burdened by impossible bureaucratic obstacles. We're grateful to FEMA for working with us to make this change so that families in need could get some of the relief they need.”

For deaths between January 20 and May 16, 2020 — when hospitals were unable to confirm COVID as the cause due to gaps in understanding — applicants can provide a signed letter from the original certifier of the death certificate, the local medical examiner or coroner certifying that the cause of death was likely COVID-19.

Proof could include a positive test that was received after the death certificate was issued or linking COVID-19 and pneumonia.

So far, 15,503 New Yorkers have received over $107 million through the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program.

Applications are open and available by calling 844-684-6333.