Title
Response to Referral No. 2021.04
a. Consider updated options for a Monterey County COVID-19 Funeral and Burial Assistance Program; and,
b. Provide direction to staff.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors accept the referral and presentation regarding the Monterey County Covid-19 Funeral and Burial Assistance Program and provide direction regarding the updated options presented for a Monterey County Funeral Assistance Program.
SUMMARY:
The County Administrative Office received a Board referral for the Monterey County Covid-19 Funeral and Burial Assistance Program on February 23, 2021 and additional Board direction on April 20, 2021. This referral was assigned to Gerry Malais (OES) and Ezequiel Vega (Budget Office Director). Currently FEMA has a Funeral and Burial Assistance Program through their Covid-19 Individual Assistance Program. The FEMA program provides financial assistance up to $9,000 and is available to any U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, directly related to Covid-19. Several options exist for the County to continue or supplement the FEMA program that require Board direction. This is in response to REFERRAL # 2021.04 and subsequent board direction
DISCUSSION:
FEMA has a Funeral and Burial Assistance Program through the Covid-19 Individual Assistance Program. The FEMA program is available to any U.S. citizen, non-citizen national, or qualified alien who incurred funeral expenses after January 20, 2020, directly related to Covid-19 and provides financial assistance up to $9,000.
Board direction from the April 20th, 2021 session includes:
1. A program cap/fixed amount of $500,000 USD
2. A program that runs through December 31, 2022
3. Eligibility: Low-Income undocumented Monterey County Applicants and decedents
4. Eligibility: Except for County Eligibility changes, the program will follow the FEMA program guidelines for eligibility and...
Click here for full text