Title
a. Consider options for a Monterey County COVID-19 Funeral and Burial Assistance Program (Board Referral No. 2021.04); 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 options presented for a Monterey County Funeral Assistance Program.
SUMMARY:
The CAO received a Board referral for the Monterey County Covid-19 Funeral and Burial Assistance Program on February 23, 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 $9000 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. This is in response to REFERRAL # 2021.04.
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 $9000. Several options exist for the County to continue or supplement the FEMA program:
1. The FEMA program can stand alone, and the County will assist residents by providing information and support navigating the FEMA program.
2. The County can develop its own Program:
a. that will assist residents by providing information and support navigating the FEMA program, and
b. provide the same benefits as the FEMA program with the same criteria for eligibility for a defined period of time after the FEMA Program ends.
3. The County can develop its own Program:
a. Assist residents by providing information and support navigating the FEMA program,
b. provide the same benefits as the FEMA program with the same criteria for eligibility for a defined period of time after the FEMA Program ends.
c. Extend the same eligibility criteria and benefits to include undocumented residents that incur funeral expenses.
4. Option 2 or 3 above with a reduced maximum benefit to:
a. $6000
b. $4000
c. $2000
5. Other direction from the Board of Supervisors
The Board can also direct staff request the State of California to develop a Funeral and Burial assistance Program like FEMA’s to continue after FEMA’s Program ends, in addition to or in place of the above.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
OES coordinated with the CAO Budget Office and County Counsel.
FINANCING:
Funding for this referral program would require Board action to add funding to the Emergency Operation Center Covid-19 response operations
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
One or two sentences explaining how this recommendation supports/advances the Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives. Reference to any Key Objectives and/or Milestones that are related.
Mark a check to the related Board of Supervisors Strategic Initiatives
X Economic Development
X Administration
X Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Gerry Malais, Emergency Services Manager
Approved by: Nicholas E. Chiulos, Assistant County Administrative Officer
Attachments:
Board Referral No. 2021.04
Power Point