ATLANTA – State Representative Demetrius Douglas (D-Stockbridge) today announced that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) will provide financial resources for families who incurred funeral expenses for a loved one who has died as a result of COVID-19 last year.
“Families in Clayton and Henry counties are already facing incredible loss during the pandemic, and they should not have to deal with the financial burden of laying their loved ones to rest,” said Rep. Douglas. “This program could really give these families one less thing to worry about while they live with the overwhelming grief of losing someone to this terrible disease.”
The federal Coronavirus Response and Relief Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2021 provided FEMA with $2 billion to reimburse individuals and households for COVID-19-related funeral expenses incurred between January 20 and December 31, 2020. According to the FEMA website, the agency is currently working with stakeholder groups to provide this assistance and enlist their help with outreach to families and communities. The agency plans to launch this program in April 2021.
Additional guidance is being finalized and will be released to potential applicants and community partners as soon as possible. FEMA is also working to establish a toll-free phone number for families seeking to apply for such assistance. In the meantime, Rep. Douglas encourages people who have COVID-19 funeral expenses to keep and gather documentation.
For more information the FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance, please click here.
Representative Demetrius Douglas represents the citizens of District 78, which includes portions of Clayton and Henry counties. He was elected to the House of Representatives in 2012 and currently serves on the Special Committee on Election Integrity and the Banks & Banking, Insurance, Health & Human Services, Intragovernmental Coordination and Motor Vehicles committees.
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