FEMA changed its application requirements following months of discussions with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez [D-N.Y.]) about making it easier for people who want to apply.FEMA launched the $2 billion pandemic assistance program for funerals in April using money from a $2.3 Trillion spending package signed by former President Donald Trump in December 2020. FEMA has previously run similar programs following hurricanes or other natural disasters, but the Covid-19 reimbursement program raised internal concerns that scammers would attempt to take advantage of the system.More than 200,000 people have applied for reimbursements of up to $9,000 per household for Covid-19 funeral expenses. FEMA released a statement Tuesday stating that it has provided financial assistance totaling more than $447 million to 66.800 applicants who have demonstrated financial need.POLITICO reported that eligibility was limited to individuals who have death certificates indicating that the death of a family member was due to, may have been caused or likely to be a result Covid-19-like symptoms.Many Americans who applied for Covid-19 funeral aid were denied because the death certificates of their relatives did not include Covid-19. The pandemic began in the midst of a learning curve for doctors. Testing was not available at the time. Covid-19 was not included in many of the death certificates during that period.FEMA told those in this situation until this week that they would need to have their death certificates changed in order for reimbursement. Many doctors, medical examiners, and coroners won't change the official cause of death unless there is definitive evidence.Families no longer need to have the death certificate changed. They must submit a signed note from the same medical examiners or coroners confirming the death as being caused by the virus. It is unclear how long this process will take or how medical examiners, coroners, and others will link the death to the virus.Individuals must submit a death certificate attesting that their loved ones died after May 16, 2020.
