BURIAL EXPENSE ASSISTANCE
If you lost a loved one to COVID-19 since January 20, 2020, you may apply to FEMA for reimbursement of burial costs. Applicants can receive up to $9,000 per burial. To apply, you must call 844-684-6333. The call center will be open from 7 am to 7 pm ET. Visit FEMA's Funeral Assistance website here for updated information.
Before calling, please collect relevant documentation. The applicant(s) must provide:
a copy of the death certificate. The death certificate must indicate the death "may have been caused by" or "was likely a result of" COVID-19 or COVID-19-like symptoms. Similar phrases that indicate a high likelihood of COVID-19 are also considered sufficient.
proof of funeral expenses incurred. Documentation (receipts, funeral home contract, etc.) must include the applicant's name as the responsible person for the expense, the deceased individual's name, the amount of funeral expenses, and that funeral expenses were incurred after January 20, 2020
Please note, FEMA will only award COVID-19 funeral assistance for a deceased individual on a single application. If multiple individuals contribute toward funeral expenses, they should register under a single application as applicant and co-applicant.
This assistance will help you pay for current funeral expenses or be reimbursed for past funeral expenses.
DON'T GET COVID-19 YOURSELF! GET VACCINATED
Vaccines are safe, effective, and free to anyone age 5 and older. Bring any form of ID with your birthdate or you may self-attest at the site. No other documents required.
$100 bonus! Anyone who gets their first shot of a vaccine at a NYC-run site like a Vaccine Bus (as opposed to a NY State run site, drugstore, or healthcare practice) OR at home is eligible for a $100 gift card.
Prefer to be vaccinated at home with the vaccine of your choice? Make an appointment at www.nyc.gov/homevaccine or call 877-829-4692. If it is your first shot, you will also be eligible for the $100 bonus.
No appointment needed, but if you want one OR if you wish to be vaccinated at home, call 877-829-4692 or visit https://vax4nyc.nyc.gov/patient/s/
No questions about immigration status. Interpreters who speak multiple languages will be available to assist, if needed.
No insurance needed. If you do have insurance, however, please bring your insurance card with you. You will not be charged anything for vaccination.
Referral question. Please say NHS Brooklyn sent you! When getting vaccinated, you'll be asked if an organization referred you. Please tell them we did! Neighborhood Housing Services of Brooklyn, also known as NHS Brooklyn.
Young people 5-15, must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. 16- and 17-year-olds can bring written consent, or their parents/guardians can provide verbal consent over the phone.
Proof of vaccination now required for NYC restaurants, gyms, and entertainment venues. Check with your employer to find out if vaccination is required now or soon. Your paper vaccine card or the NY State Excelsior Pass are acceptable proof. Download the Excelsior Pass to your mobile phone here: https://epass.ny.gov/home
Booster shots of the Pfizer and Moderna vaccine are now available to anyone age 16 and older. Anyone who received the Johnson & Johnson vaccine may receive a booster two months after receiving their first shot. Monitor the CDC's Website and nyc.gov/covidvaccine for updates as additional guidance is released from the federal government
HOW TO GET TESTED
Testing is still important! To find a test site near you, visit this website Some sites charge a fee for testing, so call before you go to see if the test will be free or not and what kind of test is offered, depending on your need. (Rapid tests provide results in 20 minutes. Results for the more accurate PCR test takes several days.) Insurance is not required, but if you have insurance, bring your insurance card. No one will be turned away for a test at a free site if they don't have insurance.
HOW TO GET housing help
If you are a homeowner, tenant, first-time home buyer, small landlord, or future landlord and need housing help, contact trusted nonprofit NHS Brooklyn to let us know how we can help. Submit a request here. Services include:
Tenant counseling: Rent arrears due to COVID-19, rent freeze, tenant rights
Mortgage counseling: Foreclosure, reverse mortgage, refinancing
Financial education and credit improvement
Home repair assistance
Home, flood & renter's insurance counseling
Disaster assistance counseling
Landlord training
First-time home buying