April 13, 2021- Anchorage, AK.- The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has announced that it will start accepting applications for funeral assistance by phone starting Monday as follows: COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Line Number Applications begin on April 12, 2021 844-684-6333 | TTY: 800-462-7585 Hours of Operation: Monday – Friday 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Central Time (5 a.m. to 5 p.m. Alaska Time)
FEMA reports that some people have gotten calls from callers offering help people register. These calls are scams. FEMA will not call people and offer information about the funeral assistance. The only valid way to apply is by calling into the official FEMA call center.
FEMA will reimburse up to $9,000 per funeral.
Applicants will need a copy of the death certificate, proof of funeral expenses, and proof of any other assistance. Note that any person who received a bereavement benefit from the corporation must report that benefit as part of the FEMA application for assistance.