The agency launched a hotline – 844-684-6333 – Monday to request up to $ 9,000 in aid per funeral.
The program’s debut was marked by busy signals and “technical issues,” the agency said Monday, noting that it had received “thousands of phone calls” on its first working day.
“We ask applicants to be patient as we work to resolve these issues and have all their important documents ready when they call to apply,” said FEMA. “Keep in mind that there is no deadline to apply and applicants will have the option to open a case.”
Due to the sensitive nature of the program, FEMA chose to apply by phone rather than online.
“Right now, we focus on empathy when we talk about individuals who have lost loved ones. We want to make sure we do this in an empathetic way,” said Fenton. “We think, again, with empathy as a priority, we want to be able to manage business and have that human-to-human interaction while doing this.”
To be eligible, the death must have occurred in the US or its territories, and funeral expenses must have been incurred after January 20, 2020. The death certificate must state that the death was attributed to or likely caused by Covid-19 or coronavirus-like symptoms.
While the applicant must be a U.S. citizen or legal resident, there is no requirement that the deceased meet these criteria.
Expenses covered include the transfer of remains, burial field, coffin, clergy, cremation, and headstone. But the aid is reduced if the applicant has received benefits from funeral or funeral insurance or financial aid from other sources.
Pushed by New York lawmakers
Senate Leader Chuck Schumer and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, both New York Democrats, have been pushing for help since the pandemic began devastating their state in March 2020.
This story has been updated with additional developments.