Pandemic funeral: where and how to get funeral allowance in New York

In connection with the coronavirus pandemic in New York, the rules for paying funeral benefits have changed. Read about how to apply for compensation for a funeral and who can count on support. The source of information - City Hall website.

New conditions for obtaining funeral allowance

In connection with the coronavirus pandemic, the NYC HRA Office of Burial Services has revised the terms for providing assistance to those in need of burial for close relatives.

In particular, two new rules were issued prescribing:

• Increase the burial payout from $ 900 to $ 1700 and increase the maximum allowable level of funeral expenses from $ 1700 to $ 3400.
• Extension of the period during which you can apply for up to 120 days from the date of death of the person.

Under the new rules, applications received after March 12, 2020 will be considered, regardless of the immigration status of the applicant.

Application Procedure

The Human Resources Administration (HRA) and the Office of Burial Services (OBS) help cover funeral expenses for New Yorkers in need. An application can be submitted by both persons who wish to reimburse the costs of an already held funeral, as well as those who are only planning a funeral for a loved one.

Under current emergency rule, OBS can pay a maximum of $ 1700 for the burial of a deceased (including burial, cremation, or burial of cremation ash) to a relative, friend, or authorized representative of the deceased.

If the amount of the funeral bill exceeds the current limit of $ 3400, the cost of the burial site, digging the grave or cremation will be deducted from the total amount of the bill. If the remaining invoice amount is less than the above limit, then the burial allowance will be approved.

Who can get funeral allowance?

The allowance is provided for the burial of dead people who had low income during their lifetime and did not have the resources or assets that can now be used to pay for the funeral. Documents confirming the receipt of social benefits or assistance from the HRA (financial assistance, free food or benefits) can serve as confirmation of the status of poverty.

On the subject: Illegals in New York will receive financial assistance in connection with the coronavirus

A relative (spouse or parent of a deceased person under the age of 21) who is applying for benefits should also not be able to pay for the funeral on his own and meet the criteria for being eligible for low-income benefits.

To find out if you are eligible for benefits, you need to apply to OBS, and specialists will evaluate the individual circumstances of each case.

How to apply: list of documents

To fill in application for benefits (application form in Russian - here) for burial or to learn more about this process, you need to contact the New York office of funeral services HRA, located at: 33-28 Northern Blvd. - 3rd Floor, Long Island City, NY 11101. You can also call tel .: 929-252-7731. If no one answers this number, leave a message and the office employee will call you back before the end of the next business day.

An application must be submitted to determine eligibility for benefits, and OBS will evaluate the individual circumstances of each case. To do this, the applicant responsible for organizing the funeral, or his representative, must submit an application within 120 days from the death of the deceased.

You must also send a photo or a scanned image of the attached documents by e-mail to OBS. There may also be required paper copies if the image or photograph is not readable.

List of documents

The following is a list of general documents required to start processing an application for a funeral allowance. However, OBS may request additional documents to determine eligibility for benefits based on the facts and circumstances of each case.

• Application for granting benefits for the burial M-860V. It must be completed and signed by the applicant or his authorized representative.
• A certified copy of the death certificate (it will be returned to the applicant).
• Copy of the Funeral Contract (may also be called Statement of Goods and Services Selected). The document must be signed by the director of the funeral home and the person who organized the funeral.
• A copy of the funeral or cremation invoice showing all expenses.
• The original of a detailed funeral note, signed by the director of the funeral home and certified by a notary in the presence of a notary or an ombudsman. The funeral invoice must be certified by the stamp “Paid in full” if the expenses have been paid and the applicant is demanding reimbursement.
• The original of fully filled in accounts from the funeral home, signed by the director of the bureau and certified by a notary in the presence of a notary or ombudsman, if there is still money that has not been paid to the funeral home.

Note. During a pandemic, an electronic signature is used instead of the usual one. This rule applies to documents and forms approving or accepting funeral services (Decree of the Governor of New York 202.11 of March 27, 2020).

Where to apply

The completed application along with supporting documents must be submitted in person or sent by mail to: NYC HRA Office of Kapinynas Services, 33-28 Northern Blvd. - 3rd Floor Long to Iceland City NY 11101. Also, the document can be sent by fax to the number 917-639-0476 or by e-mail: [email protected].

If you need a copy of the application, call tel .: 929-252-7731. On it you can also get help in filling it out.

How to get paid

If you are approved for reimbursement of the funeral expenses of a loved one, you will need a document proving your identity to receive compensation. He must also confirm the address of your residence.

Additional information can be obtained by phone: (929) 252-7731.