BREVARD COUNTY, Fla. — Brevard county has seen more than 650 COVID-19 related deaths since the beginning of the pandemic.
Now, county officials have set aside money for a burial program for low-income families who may not have the means to bury a loved one who died from COVID-19.
On Monday, the county began accepting applications for the program,
Brevard County resident can fill out the application online or pick up a copy at the community action agency located at the Joe Lee Smith Community Center in Cocoa.
“If you are a family member of someone who died as a result of the coronavirus you’re eligible for $5,500 dollars toward burial expenses,” Director for Brevard County Communications Don Walker said, “and if you’re the loved one of a veteran of the military services qualify for $8,250.”
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Brevard county has seen more than 1700 hospitalizations and 655 deaths since the beginning of the covid-19 pandemic.
Now, Brevard County Commissioners have set aside $160,000 for burial expenses for families in need. Their family income cannot exceed 150% of the current federal poverty guidelines for a family of four, which would be no more than $39,300 dollars.
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“We know there are folks out there in our community who are suffering financially,” Walker said. “Whether it’s because of furloughs or layoffs because of the virus, or because their businesses have suffered, or they’ve suffered individually that is why we’ve done so many other programs in the county for people with rental and mortgage assistance and food stability.”
The county will reimburse the funeral home directly. Applications can be found on the county’s website under housing and human services at Www.Brevardfl.Gov/humanservices.