How to Apply for COVID-19 Funeral Assistance

Have you lost a loved one from COVID-19? If so, the legal team at The Henry Law Firm is here for you. Our skilled attorney will discuss how the government is helping pay for funeral costs, what is needed for a claim, and how you go about filing a claim. Each of these components are meant to guide you through the process and alleviate some of the financial strain you may be under after losing a loved one.

In 2021 the total number of COVID-19 lawsuits increased dramatically. At the end of March 2020, there were 1,235 lawsuits filed against employers in the healthcare industry related to COVID-19. In contrast, this figure more than doubled, with COVID-19 related lawsuits reaching 2,560 lawsuits, including 200 class actions in 2021. The states with the most filings included:

• California: 666
• New Jersey: 293
• Florida: 198
• New York: 184
• Ohio: 156

These lawsuits led to the passing of Ohio House Bill 606. This law went into effect on December 13th, 2020, and grants broad immunity from civil actions related to the transmission of COVID-19. It also provides limited immunity to healthcare providers. Although a successful civil lawsuit may not be possible, affected families may receive government assistance to help cover costs associated with COVID-19-related funerals. Read on to learn more.

How Is the Government Helping Pay For Funerals for Those Killed by COVID-19?

According to FEMA, the US government is offering to pay a portion of funeral costs for those who have died due to COVID-19. 

Many Ohioans don’t realize that they can file a claim for reimbursement of various funeral costs up to the price of $9,000 per funeral. According to the Ohio Department of Health, more than 35,000 people have died of COVID-19 in Ohio. Of these 35,000 deaths, only about 10,779 people have received funeral assistance payments throughout the state. 

If your loved one died in the U.S. because of this virus and COVID-19 has been ruled as the official cause of death, you may qualify for this government funeral assistance. 

According to statistics, although many Ohio residents have not claimed assistance, this state is still amongst the top ten to receive help with paying funerals and burial expenses from this government cover.

What Does the Government Funeral Assistance Cover?

Some of the various costs the government funeral assistance will cover include: 

• Funeral service
• Arrangement of the funeral ceremony
• Transfer of remains
• Cremation
• Urn or casket
• Transportation of no more than two individuals to identify the person who has passed away
• Interment
• Officiant or clergy services
• Costs associated with the use of funeral home equipment or staff
• Burial plot
• Costs associated with producing and certifying multiple death certificates
• Arrangement of the funeral ceremony for the deceased
• Headstone or marker

What Is Needed to Claim Funds?

Eligibility for funds is based on proof that the deceased died in whole or in part from COVID-19:

• If your loved one died between January 20th and May 16th in 2020, you would need to obtain the official death certificate. If the death certificate doesn’t attribute the death to COVID-19 directly or indirectly, you will need to get an official statement from the original certifier or a local medical examiner. This statement will need to state COVID-19 was the contributing cause or only cause of your loved one’s death.
• If the death of your loved one was on or after May 17th, 2020, and the death certificate was created after this date, you will need this death certificate. This certificate needs to state that COVID-19 either indirectly or directly caused the death of your loved one.

How to Claim Funds

When you’re ready to claim funeral funds and start your application, you need to call the COVID-19 funeral assistance helpline: 844-684-6333. This helpline is active between 9 am and 9 pm eastern on Monday through Friday. On average, speaking with a consultant will take 20 minutes, and during this time, you can get assistance with your application and ask any questions you may have. 

Additionally, you need to remember to obtain your FEMA application number. Once you have received this number, you will need to submit the required documents, including the death certificate, via fax, mail, or email.

In Closing

It is not as difficult as you might believe to obtain COVID-19 funeral assistance from the U.S. government. If you want further information about this coverage, you can speak with FEMA, or if you have any other legal queries, you can contact us today for guidance.