Yingling Highlights Funeral Assistance for Families Impacted by COVID-19

ROUND LAKE BEACH, Ill. – As part of his efforts to provide relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, state Rep. Sam Yingling, D-Grayslake, is encouraging residents who incurred funeral costs due to the COVID-19 pandemic to take advantage of the Funeral Assistance Program.

“Losing a loved one is extremely difficult in any circumstance, but in a year in which economic conditions were tough for many families, the financial costs associated with funerals were especially difficult,” said Yingling. “The last thing grieving families need to worry about is how to pay for expensive funeral bills after losing someone close to them.”

Yingling is reminding all Illinois residents that Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Funeral Assistance Program is available to help provide relief to those who have paid for a funeral for an individual who died due to the COVID-19 pandemic after Jan. 20, 2020. The program will cover up to $9,000 per funeral. For more information or to apply, please visit fema.gov/disasters/coronavirus/economic/funeral-assistance or call 844-684-6333.

Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, Yingling has worked to provide relief to those hit hardest. He voted for legislation that would temporarily expand the number of seniors that are eligible for deferring their property tax payment in order to give them time to recover financially from the pandemic. He also supported legislation expanding rent relief for those who were impacted by the pandemic.

“In order to truly return to normalcy, we must ensure that all residents are getting the relief they need in order to recover from this difficult year,” said Yingling. “No one should be unsupported and left behind, and I will work to ensure that all residents are getting the resources they need.”