New York Democrats have announced that families can be reimbursed up to $ 7,000 for funeral expenses, with $ 260 million of those funds to be allocated directly to New Yorkers. Eligibility for the funds will be retroactive to the start of the pandemic, from January 20, 2020 to December 31, 2020, and Schumer says he and Ocasio-Cortez are working to keep the program in place for the rest of the pandemic.
This funding is strictly directed to families who have lost a loved one as a result of Covid-19. Those applying for funding will need to provide various forms of documentation, such as receipts and invoices that need to be reimbursed for funeral expenses and the death certificate.
“Many of these families because of Covid do not have the money for a proper funeral and a proper burial. And that is just terrible and inhumane,” said Schumer when describing why funding is needed.
Ocasio-Cortez took the matter personally, saying, “I lost my father when I was about 18 years old. And the funeral expenses stalked and accompanied my family, along with many other families in a similar position, for years.”
Later, asked whether these funds would apply to undocumented families, Ocasio-Cortez said yes and explained why these communities should not be afraid to apply for these funds.
“I think it is completely understandable why they are so afraid, especially in the last four years, of reaching our immigrant families. But I think right now our families, especially under a Biden government, a Democratic Senate and a Democratic House that is prioritizing immigrants’ rights, including those who have no documents, not to be afraid and not to allow that fear to further marginalize our community, “said Ocasio-Cortez.
Schumer said Ocasio-Cortez brought this issue to his attention last April. These disaster relief funds are similar to the FEMA program created for families after Hurricane Sandy.
This story has been updated to include additional details.