FEMA has announced a funeral assistance program for those who need help paying for funeral expenses. People can qualify for funeral expenses paid after January 20, 2020 for individuals who passed away in the United States, territories or the District of Columbia due to results of COVID-19.

No online applications will be accepted. People can apply by calling the COVID-19 funeral assistance number, which opened on April 12. The phone number is (844) 684-6333, TTY [800] 462-7585, Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. EST [6 a.m. to 6 p.m. PST].

The call is a dedicated toll-free phone number and has multilingual services available.

“When you call, it should take about 20 minutes to apply. We will not rush through calls because we intend to make sure [all applicants] get their questions answered and receive the help they need to apply. It is important to gather all necessary information and documentation before applying for assistance. This will help us take the application and process it in a timely manner,” according to a FEMA statement.

Once people call and apply they will be given an application number. Expenses that are covered include: transportation for up to two people to identify deceased individual, transfer of remains, casket or urn, burial plot or cremation niche, marker or headstone, and clergy or officiant services.

FEMA is experiencing a high call volume on the funeral assistance phone line; they suggest continuing to try until the call goes through.

FEMA also warns that its agency has received reports of scammers reaching out to people offering to register them for funeral assistance.

“FEMA has not sent any such notifications and we do not contact people before they register for assistance,” according to FEMA.

For more information, visit fema.gov.