Funeral advantage program assists seniors are what you need. In fact, you can use them on paying for some or even all the burial or funeral costs of your parents. Interestingly, there are some programs available, funded by government or charities. So, what is their focus? They want to help low-income families. They try to provide help for the poor and the senior citizens with a limited budget. Also, they can do this for those with a lack of assets. When these people faced hardship, it is possible. So, they find help in paying the funeral costs.
Does funeral advantage program assists seniors available?
In some countries and states, there may various financial assistance to pay the costs. They also help the various expenses related to a funeral. The government, for example, can provide some help like free caskets for low-income families. In addition, the government may provide indigent or even the poor. On the other hands, it is possible if the government helps to pay for transportation or cremation costs. This is possible if the case of death was out of the state. Moreover, you, as the individuals, are possible to find the services to help your family or a low-income family you know.
Today, we have gathered some information that can help you to deal with the funeral costs. We hope this post can help!
Funeral Advantage Program Assists Seniors – The Federal Assistance
Funeral advantage program assists seniors from the federal government are available. But, there are some limitations. Hopefully, the programs below can help you:
1. Social Security
Contact: (800-772-1213)
It is possible if you are eligible to get this one-time lump. Interestingly, the total payment is for about $255. The payment is the monthly benefit. But, it is only for the deceased’s survivors. At this point, the federal government is possible to give the payment to the beneficiaries if:
- The beneficiary is the surviving spouse. This person should live in the same home with the deceased person at the time of death.
- The surviving spouse will get the social security benefits based on the earnings record of the deceased person. The earning record should be at the month of the death.
- If there is no surviving spouse, children are eligible to get the advantages.
It is important to contact the Social Security Administration immediately after death. A funeral director can help you to handle the notification. Unfortunately, it is important to note that you must apply in two years of death. On the other hands, if you take care of the notification, you can do so in person. To start, you should visit the social security office near you. Otherwise, you can call at 1-800-772-1213.
NOTE: NO ONLINE APPLICATION IS AVAILABLE.
This is one of the Funeral advantage program assists seniors. The fund is from the federal government. In addition, they will pay the benefits per month to the survivors. The total payment depends on the average earnings of the deceased person could make in his or her lifetime. In other words, if the deceased person has higher earnings, the greater the benefits will be. If you want to get more information about the eligibility, you should contact the Social Security Administration (https://www.ssa.gov/benefits/retirement/).
What is Eligibility?
For the survivors, here is the little piece of information about the eligibility:
- A 60-year-old widow or widower, or older. If disabled is 50 years old or at any age, and is caring for the entitled kid. The kids may be disabled or under 16.
- A 60-year-old divorced widow or widower. If disabled is 50 years old and the marriage lasted 10 years, or if the person is caring for the entitled children. The children are disabled or under 16.
- Unmarried children under age 18 and 19. They are still attending full-time school. The benefits will be directed to the stepchildren, adopted children, or grandchildren under some circumstances.
- Disabled children before reaching age 22.
- Dependent parents or parent age 62 and older.
How to apply for this program?
You cannot apply for this program online. Clearly, you need to go to the local office. Otherwise, contact them at the phone number above. Here are some requirements for your application:
- Death certificate
- Social security numbers (The deceased, the applicant, and the dependent children)
- Birth certificate (Applicant only)
- Marriage certificate and divorce papers (That Applicable)
- W-2 forms (Federal self-employment tax return) for the deceased worker in the most recent year
- Bank and account number to get the benefits directly.
Additional notes:
You have been receiving the benefits as husband or wife on your spouse’s record. After that, your spouse dies. You should report the death immediately. Make a report to the Social Security to get the payment changed to the survivor benefits. If you get any benefits based on your record, you should complete the application. Next, this program will determine whether you can get more under the survivor benefits.
2. The Veterans Administration
Contact: (855-574-7286)
Next, this program is only for the veteran. There are three possible ways to get assistance. First, if the deceased person was a veteran. Second, if the deceased person is the child of a veteran. Lastly, if the deceased person is the spouse of a veteran.
The Veterans Administration or VA provide one-time cash for the allowance. They can provide more than $300 (a non-service related death), and $2,000 (death related to military service). To get the payment, you must submit the receipts first to the VA.
Besides, the applicant may be eligible for burial at the national or state military cemetery in U.S. Veterans also possible to get military funeral honors, burial flags, and others for free.
For the eligibility requirements, it is based on the law. These can change by time. Therefore, you must check the current information about the eligibility.
To apply for the benefits online is here. You should complete the paper application that is VA Form 21P530, Application for Burial Allowance. Make sure that you get help from your local regional office.
3. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
Contact: (800-621-3362)
FEMA also offers some funeral advantage program assists seniors. They also for the funeral expenses. But, they will give it if you are in a presidential-declared disaster area. Besides, the disaster caused death. Also, the state, the tribal government, or the territory will determine the amount of the payment. Here are the regulations of the eligibility:
- A U.S citizen or non-citizen national
- Have a variable identity
- Have burial insurance or other assistance that is not enough to meet the needs after the disaster.
- Bring any documentation you must fulfill at FEMA funeral program
It is important to highlight that FEMA only helps any expenses for the funeral or burial. They will not cover catering, flowers, and obituary. So, it is better to discuss your specific needs. To start, contact their phone number above. This way helps you know about the number of benefits and the details of how to apply. It is because the help depends on the type of disaster.
For emergency condition, this community commonly pulls together. They raise some funds. The main goal is to help people who have to deal with a difficult situation. If you are suffering and you are in a disaster, it is better to contact the local Red Cross. Otherwise, contact your municipality.
4. National Center for Victims of Crime
Contact: (202-467-8700)
So, this federal program provides compensations for anyone who were the victims of crime. They provide medical, dental expenses and assistance for the funeral costs. This is an agency that works on states. It means each state has its own compensation. Here, it is clear that the benefits depend on the state. In fact, the range is from $10,000 to $100,000.
If you want to get help related to Funeral advantage program assists seniors, we recommend you to use their list of programs. They have made this in each state. In addition, you can check out the type of benefits available in your state here. Otherwise, contact them at the phone number above.
Funeral Advantage Program Assists Seniors Non-Profit Organizations
Funeral advantage program assists seniors like Funeral Consumers Alliance cannot provide you with the funeral costs. What they do is to provide families with the resources. Additionally, they provide educational materials for funeral options. For example, they can help find the most affordable funeral options. So, everything can meet your budget. Also, they can help you to work out a service that fits your personal financial situation.
How do these organizations work?
Well, they can help you to do some assessments. For example, they help you check your assets. Here, you can afford and pay for the burial or funeral. Besides, they can help you decide. It is their job to observe the insurance policies, your investments, and your savings. Eventually, they do not mind to help you understand the process of funeral and future expenses. At this point, they only provide valuable information about going to shop and save money. Their goal is to protect your right to find the affordable, meaningful, and dignified burial and funeral. Their concern is on saving money during the funeral process, not providing financial aid.
Interestingly, they can help you save for more than $10,000 on the funeral and burial costs. They help reduce heartache through the stressful time. They come for both low and moderate income family.
Lastly, you can get the list of local organizations at funeral.org if you want to know some non-profitable services that help.
See Also: Is There a Government Grant for Funeral Cost?
Conclusion
If you have a question on Funeral advantage program assists seniors, you can contact Funeral Consumers Alliance at 1-02-482-3437. Please underline that some non-profitable organizations do not provide the cost for the funeral. They support you with some knowledge to save money on funeral expenses.
So, those are all things you should not miss when it comes to funeral cost and assistance. There should be nothing to burden you. We hope the article here can be the best way for you to get help. It is interesting if we can keep sharing with each other. It is great if you tell us about your story on how to get the support until you get the payment for the funeral cost. Otherwise, tell us more about your experience on funeral assistant support in your state.
We hope this article is useful for everyone! And for the government and non-profit organizations, we appreciate their work that we hope they have something better to help the citizens.
References:
- Help with Funeral Costs
- Image: sunsetgardenstricities.com
