EVERETT, WA – Today, Rep. Rick Larsen (WA-02) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun accepting applications for funeral assistance for Washingtonians who have lost loved ones to COVID-19. Larsen helped pass the funeral assistance program as part of the American Rescue Plan, comprehensive pandemic relief legislation President Biden signed into law last month.

Washingtonians who paid for funeral expenses for an individual whose death may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19 can apply for up to $9,000 of assistance per funeral through FEMA’s dedicated call center at 844-684-6333; TTY 800-462-7585, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. PT to 6:00 p.m. PT. No online applications will be accepted. There is no deadline to apply for the funeral assistance program at this time.

Who Can Apply for Assistance?

• You may qualify if: You are a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who paid for funeral expenses, and the funeral expenses were for an individual whose death in the U.S., territories or the District of Columbia, may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19.
• Individuals may apply for assistance for multiple funerals.

How do Washingtonians Apply?

• Call FEMA’s dedicated call center at 844-684-6333; TTY 800-462-7585, Monday through Friday, 6:00 a.m. PT to 6:00 p.m. PT.
• No online applications will be accepted. Multilingual services will be available.

What Information do Washingtonians Need to Provide to Apply?

The applicant responsible for COVID-19 funeral expenses will need to provide the following information below when they call FEMA to register for assistance. FEMA recommends gathering this information ahead of the application process.

• Social Security number for the applicant and the deceased individual
• Date of birth for the applicant and the deceased individual
• Current mailing address for the applicant
• Current telephone number for the applicant
• Location or address where the deceased individual passed away
• Information about burial or funeral insurance policies
• Information about other funeral assistance received, such as donations
• CARES Act grants and assistance from voluntary organizations
• Routing and account number of the applicant’s checking or savings account (for direct deposit, if requested)

Resources

Washingtonians can learn more about FEMA’s funeral assistance program at https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance.

For a list of frequently asked questions about FEMA’s funeral assistance program, visit https://www.fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance/faq.

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