COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program

HRSA recognizes that the use of B97.29 as the primary diagnosis as described above is different from the ICD-10-CM Official Coding Guidelines – Supplement for Coding encounters related to COVID-19 Coronavirus Outbreak. However, as previously stated, HRSA’s COVID-19 Uninsured Program is not a health plan.

COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program

As part of the Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, FEMA may aid with funeral expenses that occurred after January 20, 2020. Applications opened on April 12, 2021, to “ease of some of the financial stress and burden caused by the virus.”

Applicants will need to provide a death certificate that indicates the patient died because of coronavirus while in the United States or U.S. territories. The patient did not have to be a United States citizen, noncitizen, or qualified alien.

The COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number: 844-684-6333|TTY: 800-462-7585

A U.S. citizen, non-citizen, or qualified alien who incurred funeral and related expenses will need to provide receipts or contracts showing the responsible party. Expenses may include but are not limited to:

 Transfer of remains  Marker or headstone  Clergy or officiant services  Cremation or burial costs  Funeral ceremony arrangements  Funeral home equipment or staff  Costs associated with producing and certifying death certificates  Transportation of up to persons to identify the deceased individual  Casket or urn

Additionally, applicants will be asked for the following information, so FEMA suggests preparing these before calling:  Deceased individual’s SSN, date of birth, where the individual passed away  Information on donations, grants, or other funeral assistance received  Routing and account number for the applicant for direct deposit of funds