Vella Highlights COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program

ROCKFORD, Ill. – State Rep. Dave Vella, D-Rockford, is raising awareness on the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) Funeral Assistance Program, which provides financial assistance for funeral costs incurred due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“After a year in which the COVID-19 pandemic tragically took the lives of many residents, it is vital that we do everything we can to support families who lost loved ones,” said Vella. “With the financial struggles that the pandemic caused, funeral costs can be an especially heavy burden. Grieving families should be able to focus on recovering from losing a loved one and not have additional stress due to having to deal with the costs of a funeral. I highly encourage residents who have funeral expenses due to COVID-19 to take advantage of the Funeral Assistance Program.”

Vella is reminding all Illinois residents that the 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.

With the COVID-19 pandemic causing hardship on residents across his district, Vella has worked to provide relief to his constituents. He voted for legislation that would provide emergency assistance for renters who are unable to pay rent due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Vella also introduced legislation protecting small businesses from future harm by requiring business interruption insurance to cover losses stemming from a forced closure during a period of a declared emergency.

“With so many residents struggling due to no fault of their own, it is important that we provide as much relief as possible to those hit hardest by the pandemic,” said Vella. “As we begin to rebuild from the COVID-19 pandemic, I will work to ensure all residents are given the resources they need to get back on their feet and recover from this pandemic.”