General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsHas anyone here completed the FEMA process for funeral reimbursement for COVID deaths?
I completed my phone interview and was given a registration number and told to wait to receive something in the mail from them in order to apply. Nothing yet. Anyone finish the process and willing to share the experience?
KLRIQ2
(59 posts)A little over a week ago. Was given a registration number and a disaster number and directed to go to https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
I was told there would be a create an account button. But there wasnt directly on the front page, found it under check status.
Used all the info given to me and my details to create an account. After a bunch of steps of security questions and then verifying email messages, logged in and there were several correspondence including a full copy of the application filled in from the phone interview, as well as messages requesting uploads of related supporting materials.
I created PDFs of the materials uploaded them and the uploads showed up a few days later in correspondence box in the account....and now we wait.
If you had answered that you did not want to do the process electronically, or they stopped offering that method or did not offer that method in your area (it could be a very fluid situation), you may be waiting for the postal version of the correspondence I recieved electronically. And returning the info through the postal system.
This was my experience, yours may be different for reasons, such as address verification needed or so on.
Just to be clear, do what you were told by the assister, dont change process on my account, but this is how it unfolded for me.
Also a PS, you will be asked a number of security questions about your identity and to identify you through screening of previous or current locations or other public database information, do not guess, be sure you know the answer or if it isnt quite right then dont assume its close and answer yes. There was a lot of wrong answers to the questions I was asked with multi choice answers, be sure to say if its wrong or none of the choices apply if they dont apply.
There were some of those in the phone interview also, which if it was incorrect or they couldnt clearly identify you, you may need further screening hence the wait for mail. < just a guess.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Who actually paid for the funeral. Did they come out with income threshold?
I'm sorry... I have been remiss. I hounded AOC for many months...because she introduced a bill to force FEMA to pay the benefit. Pelosi sent it to committee. Only resurfaced since Biden prez.
KLRIQ2
(59 posts)I think only the person responsible for payment, the contractual signator or executor( and then perhaps the single contact sorts multiparty ) may apply at this time... Having gone through the process Im not sure if or how they handle multiple payees, as it did not apply in my case.
There were caveats and ineligibility if it was paid by insurance or had assistance of outside charity organizations, the funeral had to occur after January 20th 2020, and the cause had to have covid related by the attending physician.
They did ask for income levels but no threshold was discussed.
I believe the benefit has a threshold of 9000, based around the national average funeral cost of 7 to 9 thousand dollars.
Again your mileage may vary.
jimfields33
(15,473 posts)That made them ineligible for any refund. They are fine with it, but I was surprised as thought theyd give 9 thousand no questions asked. Yep. Im naive. Lol.
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)Dad but us kids chipped in for funeral. She likely would meet income requirements, the rest of us wouldn't.
But... Sure it's something that we'd have to ask them about. Surely this must have happened a lot! Family helping out.
KLRIQ2
(59 posts)Laura PourMeADrink Said:
I'm sorry... I have been remiss. I hounded AOC for many months...because she introduced a bill to force FEMA to pay the benefit. Pelosi sent it to committee. Only resurfaced since Biden prez.
Passed in the March stimulus package....
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)It had been approved early than that. It was FEMA who was not ready to accommodate the logistics. And trump who told them not to give any $ out. Despite it being a national disaster and it being in FEMAs mission.
KLRIQ2
(59 posts)You can not apply online. You must complete a phone interview and the agent creates the application, which is then linked to your registration number and fully populated with the information collected by the agent and stored with your claim.
From https://www.disasterassistance.gov/
FEMA is now accepting applications for funeral expenses paid after January 20, 2020 for deaths caused by COVID-19. We are only accepting applications by phone. Online applications are not accepted.
You may visit COVID-19 Funeral Assistance for information about the program. After you read this information and gather the necessary documents, call 1-844-684-6333 (TTY 1-800-462-7585) to apply for this assistance. Call this number also for help with ALL other questions or concerns about COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.The phone line is open Monday through Friday, from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET.
Please do not call the normal FEMA Helpline for help with COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. They will ask you to call the direct funeral assistance number.
At this time, there is no deadline to apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance.
The FAQ can be found at: https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq
Laura PourMeADrink
(42,770 posts)PortTack
(32,606 posts)They are receiving 8K. I do know it took a lot of patience and time waiting on the phone
MineralMan
(146,192 posts)the requirements this week. You have 90 days to document your claim. I just have some other pressing things I need to take care of, so it's sitting on my estate work table.
Lots of stuff to send back to them, and then you wait. Fortunately, I have everything they asked for, like invoices from the cemetery, the contract with the funeral home. Today, I'm ordering the grave marker and will have an invoice for that as well. Beyond that, you need the death certificate for the person, which must state COVID-19 as the cause of death.
What there isn't is a form to fill out to accompany that documentation. I will include a detailed cover letter, featuring the registration number and all other information I have provided.
I expect it to take some considerable time for any payment to arrive.
What I do know is that the process involved is complicated enough that most people will not get it done. I don't know if that is intentional or just bureaucracy at work, once again. Also, many people are not very good about keeping documents and records organized. That will also get in the way of successfully completing the process.