Beginning Monday, April 12, Los Angeles County residents can apply for financial help for funeral expenses through the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program. Long Beach and Signal Hill residents can also apply for the program.
“We can never take away the pain and suffering of those grieving the loss of a loved one from COVID-19, but in so many communities already struggling to pay for basic necessities, like food and rent, funeral costs only compounds that grief,” said Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors Chair Hilda Solis, Supervisor to the First District.
“Over the past year, too many of our residents have had to depend on organizing car wash fundraisers, GoFundMe online campaigns and food sales to come up with the money for burial costs,” Solis said. “With thousands in our County grieving from the loss of a loved one due to COVID-19, we have a responsibility to help provide for a proper burial — allowing dignity for those who have passed and closure for their families. The FEMA Funeral Assistance Program will provide much-needed relief for our residents and allow them to heal.”
FEMA’s COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line is (844) 684-6333 and (800) 462-7585 (TTY) for individuals who are deaf or hard of hearing.
Members of the public can call Monday through Friday, from 6 a.m. to 6 p.m. Translators will be available to assist callers who do not speak English.
To be eligible for funeral assistance, LA County residents must meet three important conditions established by FEMA:
- The death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia.
- The death certificate must indicate the death was attributed to COVID-19.
- The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or a qualified non-citizen who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020.
There are no residential or legal status requirements pertaining to the deceased person.
Applicants may apply for multiple deceased individuals. If multiple persons helped pay for funeral expenses for one individual, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicants. FEMA’s financial assistance is limited to a maximum amount of $9,000 per funeral and a maximum of $35,500 per application.
To apply for the program, residents will need an official death certificate that documents that the death was due to COVID-19. Residents should also collect receipts of funeral expenses paid by the applicant.
FEMA will not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, government agencies, or other sources.
More information about this program is available at FEMA.gov.
