In good news Rep Tim Ryan Announces New FEMA Program to Assist with COVID-19 Funeral Expenses...
Starting in early April, FEMA will begin providing up to $9,000 for funeral expenses incurred for deaths related to COVID-19....
Sometimes I over look other members of Congress who, by their own right are championing admirable public policy endeavors — which directly impacts the lives of many Americans. It is hard to comprehend this March 2020 CDC Report that nearly a year ago the data stated (as of March 28, 2020)
total number of cases in the United States more than 116,000
more than 1,900 Americans deaths
As of March 26, 2021, nearly one year to the date;
total number of cases in the United States 30,137,807
more than 547,812 Americans have died
Trump’s legacy 365 days = 545,912 American deaths
In simple mathematical terms, that means the average daily deaths from COVID-19 exceeded more than 1,495 deaths per day. That should always be Donald J Trump’s legacy. He didn’t care about the American People. He wasted days, weeks and months. Trump plainly didn’t give a flying duck about us
Trump didn’t just lie - his lies cost tens of thousands of American lives. Families forever changed. Families unable to attend their loved one’s funerals. Families robbed of the opportunity to be with their loved ones as they died.
Trump repeatedly and unapologetically lied to the American people. The fact that Trump, Jared Kushner and Mike Pence haven’t been charged with gross criminal negligence that resulted in over half a million Americans death it certainly not lost on me. Donald J Trump is responsible for mass death in America and he should be charged.
Obviously he nor Kushner nor Pence will (likely never) be criminally charged for their gross criminal negligence, but that does not change my position on their deleterious actions. Admittedly I hate and I genuinely mean I “hate” Trump. His dereliction of duty robbed so many Americans. Having to tell one my children their reading resource teacher had died from COVID-19, only later to be confronted with the death of someone in my immediate family. Who wasn’t able to have the funeral they deserved, but who’s final resting place will be at the West Point Cemetery. So yes this is personal for me, and I assume so is it for so many other American families, many of whom are lost in the ocean of grief. For the record time doesn’t heal those wounds. When someone tells me that - I want to punch them because that casual colloquialism is insensitive and distasteful.
And granted my family is financially secure enough that funeral cost wasn’t something that we had to stress about. Conversely the sad reality is there were/are countless Americans families who are not as fortunate and funeral cost added to their already heavy burden of grief.
Rep Tim Ryan & FEMA Funeral Expenses
“The last thing American families need when struggling with the loss of a loved one to COVID-19 is to bear the burden of additional bills for the funeral. Funerals can be enormously expensive, and the burden can be even heavier while we are suffering under the weight of the economic crisis brought on by this pandemic. While nothing can ever fill the loss of a loved one, I am thankful that we were at least able to take steps to lessen the strain on those who have been hardest-hit by this crisis,” said Congressman Tim Ryan.
Not that my opinion matters but what Rep Tim Ryan did is extraordinary and truly emblematic of “government doing good for the People” - his efforts should be lauded because this is a very noble and necessary change.;
Per a recent FEMA Press Release::
In the coming weeks, a dedicated 800 phone number will be established to help individuals who apply. In the meantime, potential applicants are encouraged to start gathering the following documentation:
An official death certificate that attributes the death to COVID-19 and shows that the death occurred in the U. S. The death certificate must indicate the death “may have been caused by” or “was likely the result of” COVID-19 or COVID-19 like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are considered sufficient attribution.
Funeral expense documents (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) that include the applicant’s name, the deceased individual’s name, the amount of funeral expenses, and the dates the funeral expenses were incurred.
Proof of funds received from other sources specifically for use toward funeral costs. Funeral assistance may not duplicate benefits received from burial or funeral insurance, financial assistance received from voluntary agencies, federal/state/local/tribal/territorial government programs or agencies, or other sources.
To be eligible for COVID-19 funeral assistance, the policy states:
The applicant must be a U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after Jan. 20, 2020 for a death attributed to COVID-19.
If multiple individuals contributed toward funeral expenses, they should apply under a single application as applicant and co-applicant. FEMA will also consider documentation from other individuals not listed as the applicant and co-applicant who may have incurred funeral expenses as part of the registration for the deceased individual.
An applicant may apply for multiple deceased individuals.
The COVID-19-related death must have occurred in the United States, including the U.S. territories and the District of Columbia.
Full disclosure in 2018 and 2019 I was especially tough on Rep Tim Ryan - looking back I realized that my criticism may have been unwarranted. He has truly become one of my favorite members of Congress. As many of you may have already watched his fiery and impassioned speech basically calling out the hypocrisy of the House Republicans. His speech is truly one of the more inspiring ones in my recent memory.
And lastly if anyone you know or if you’ve lost a loved one to COVID-19 and struggled with funeral cost, please see below for various resources.
FEMA -COVID-19 Funeral Assistance program
FEMA to Help Pay Funeral Costs for COVID-19-Related Deaths -HQ-21-071
FEMA POLICY: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Individuals and Households Program Policy (Interim) - FEMA Policy FD 104-21-0001(signed March 23, 2021)
I hope this is helpful and please feel free to share because my assumption is many might not be aware of the FEMA assistance. -Filey
I honestly don't know how we mentally recover from all of this. I completely relate to the Hate of Trump and Kushner and everyone else involved with the purposeful ignoring and denial of Covid.
In early Feb last year my daughter told me the trajectory on current path of doing nothing was a half million dead. We are nobody- but we knew then. The culpability for all of these pain and suffering of so many folks lies squarely in the Administrative lack of response. Everytime I read an article or story that anyone has regarding their family or friends dying of Covid or dying along during Covid, I am truly sickened and saddened.
My mother-in-law passed in September, just a few weeks shy of her 73rd birthday. We cared for her in our home in her final weeks. Her official cause of death was lung cancer. But, she was a work-a-holic, like someone else I may be familiar with... When the pandemic hit, she was alone, isolated, and didn't know what to do with herself. Although she was in turmoil, she never let anyone know. We talked on the phone, but never realized how she was struggling. looking back, we should've known... But, she didn't want us to. She died because of Covid. She never would have been so isolated if not for this damn pandemic. She was a proud and strong woman, never wanting anyone to know her business. She died BECAUSE OF Covid, and we miss her terribly...
RIP Momma... I hope you know how much we love you