In an announcement today, lawmakers including New York Senator Mark Thompson and Rep. Maria Gonzalez revealed that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will begin reimbursing certain low-income families for funeral and burial expenses incurred due to COVID-19. This initiative aims to alleviate the financial burden faced by families who lost loved ones to the virus.
Families can apply for reimbursement of up to $7,000 for funeral costs, with $260 million designated for New Yorkers from a total of $2 billion. The funding is primarily directed towards low-income residents in areas heavily impacted by the pandemic, such as Brooklyn and Staten Island. This initiative was part of the COVID-19 relief legislation passed in December.
Eligibility for the funds will be retroactive, covering expenses from January 20, 2020, until December 31, 2020. This program will assist families who have taken on debt to afford funeral and burial services. Senator Thompson emphasized the urgency of the program, stating, “Many families are struggling to give their loved ones a proper send-off due to financial constraints caused by the pandemic, which is simply unacceptable.”
While specific eligibility criteria are still being finalized, Thompson mentioned that families who faced financial hardship—having to sacrifice necessities like rent or food—can expect to receive reimbursement from FEMA.
To facilitate this process, FEMA is establishing a hotline to assist families seeking reimbursement and advises individuals to gather necessary documentation, such as funeral costs, death certificates, and other relevant expenses for submission. A FEMA spokesperson confirmed that the agency is moving swiftly to implement the program, including hiring additional contract support to manage the rollout. An announcement regarding when applications will be accepted will follow once contracts are awarded.
Rep. Gonzalez highlighted the significant impact funeral costs can have on low-income families, stating, “While the pandemic affected us all, the financial strain was not equally felt. Some families faced overwhelming challenges during this time.”
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In summary, FEMA is set to provide up to $7,000 in funeral cost reimbursements for low-income families affected by COVID-19, helping to ease the financial burdens associated with loss during this challenging period.