By Judi McLeod ——Bio and Archives--October 20, 2022
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“The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) on Monday opened its COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number to pay back funeral expenses for COVID-19 deaths dating back to Jan. 20, 2020. (Yahoo) “Already on the first day, the agency noted it was “experiencing high call volume” that was leading to “technical issues.”Small wonder!
“The COVID-19 pandemic has caused immense grief for so many people,” said acting FEMA administrator Bob Fenton in a press release. “Although we cannot change what has happened, we affirm our commitment to help with funeral and burial expenses that many families did not anticipate.” (Yahoo) “Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) pushed for this retroactive assistance since the pandemic’s onset in March 2020. The $50 billion in total funding was included in December’s $900 billion relief deal and this year’s $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan. () "No family should go into debt because they need to bury a loved one, especially during this pandemic," Schumer tweeted in February when the assistance was introduced. "I’m glad @AOC brought this to my attention last year and I’m proud to have worked together to give relief to thousands of families hurting right now."
“U.S. citizens and non-citizen nationals can apply on behalf of several deceased family members, including undocumented people. If funeral expenses were split among several individuals, FEMA suggests one person apply as an applicant and another as a co-applicant. “Those who are not eligible include: Minors Temporary tourist visa holders Foreign students Temporary work visa holders Habitual residents such as citizens of the Federated States of Micronesia, Palau, and the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
“The maximum benefit is $9,000 per funeral service, internment, or cremation, and $35,500 per applicant for costs related to multiple deaths. “The maximum benefit is $9,000 per funeral service, internment, or cremation, and $35,500 per applicant for costs related to multiple deaths. If the agency deems you eligible, you can opt for funds to be disbursed via a mailed check or direct deposit.
“The assistance generally covers expenses related to funeral services and interment or cremation. These include, but are not limited to the following: Transportation for up to two individuals to identify the deceased individual Transfer of remains Casket or urn Burial plot or cremation niche Marker or headstone Clergy or officiant services Arrangement of the funeral ceremony Use of funeral home equipment or staff Cremation or interment costs Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates Any other expenses required by local or state government laws
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“Applicants can call the dedicated COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number at 844-684-6333 or 800-462-7585 (TTY) weekdays between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. (Photo: Getty) “Applications are taken by phone only. “Applicants can call the dedicated COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number at 844-684-6333 or 800-462-7585 (TTY) weekdays between 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Eastern Time. “Applicants are encouraged to gather the following documents as proof. "An official death certificate that occurred in the United States or territory and attributes the primary cause of death to COVID-19. For families who lost a loved one early on in the pandemic and COVID-19 was not listed as the cause of death, the death certificate can be amended and corrected by the hospital.”Don’t doctors already get paid for singing Covid death certificates? (ABC10, July 30, 2020)
“Funeral expense documents such as dated and itemized receipts and funeral home contract with the applicant’s name and corresponding deceased loved one’s name. “Funding benefits will not cover or replace funeral costs received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources. “The agency expects the application process to take 20 minutes by phone. “We will not rush through calls because we intend to make sure every applicant gets their questions answered and receives the help they need to apply,” the FEMA website said.”The same program is available in Australia: “Deceased COVID-19 vaccine recipient payments and funeral costs (Service Australia)
“In cases involving death you may be eligible for payment and support for funeral costs. We’ll make this payment to the deceased’s estate.
“Before you can claim, you need to get your doctor to complete a COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme medical report. You need this as proof when you submit the claim. We need your doctor’s responses to help us assess your claim. You need to provide the following documents with your claim: the deceased’s death certificate or medical cause of death certificate proof that you’re acting on behalf of the deceased proof of any funeral costs and who paid, like receipts proof of any amounts you got or will get from third parties, like funeral insurance proof of the deceased’s partner and children dependent on the earnings of the deceased at the time of death, if applicable.
You need to show your actual costs for the funeral. Remember to deduct any amounts you got or will get from third parties. If your claim involves death, find out what you can claim in the COVID-19 vaccine claims scheme policy on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.”Meanwhile, no reimbursement for the grieving families of any loved one suspected of sudden death linked to the untested Covid vaccine. No reimbursement for the families of loved ones shot down on the mean streets of urban America. That, after all, is just life under the Joe Biden administration.
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