Courtney Announces Funeral Assistance For Connecticut Residents Who Lost Loved Ones To COVID-19

Press Release

Today, Congressman Joe Courtney (CT-02) announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has begun accepting applications for funeral assistance for eastern Connecticut residents who lost loved ones to COVID-19. The new COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program allows Connecticut residents who paid for funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, for an individual whose death may have been caused by or was likely the result of COVID-19, to apply for up to $9,000 of assistance per funeral through FEMA's dedicated call center. Rep. Courtney helped authorize the new COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program through the American Rescue Plan Act.

"COVID-19 has hurt a lot of families in our region--there are households throughout eastern Connecticut who are missing someone at the dinner table because of this pandemic," said Congressman Courtney. "No amount of money is going to heal the loss of a family member, or a loved one. But this new relief program will help ease the financial strain of so many American families who have suffered so much during the past year, and we've got folks in eastern Connecticut who deserve and need the new support. This is a good use of new American Rescue Plan assistance, and my office is here to help everyone in our towns who is interested in applying for it."

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 after January 20, 2020, and the funeral expenses were for an individual whose death in the United States, 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 Connecticut Residents Apply?

FEMA's dedicated call center can be reached at 844-684-6333; TTY 800-462-7585, Monday-Friday, 9:00am ET -- 9:00pm ET. No online applications will be accepted. Multilingual services are available.

What Information do Connecticut Residents Need to Provide?

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)

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