Management Alert - FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Operating Procedures Are Inconsistent with Previous Interpretation of Long-Standing Regulations for Eligible Funeral Expenses

Submitting OIG:

Department of Homeland Security OIG

Report Description:

We are issuing this management alert to advise the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that its Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) Funeral Assistance Program operating procedures contradict FEMA’s previous interpretation of long-standing regulations for ineligible funeral expenses established in FEMA’s Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide (IAPPG). This interpretation of regulations for ineligible funeral expenses remains unchanged in FEMA Policy 104-21-0001 (COVID-19-specific policy).

Date Issued:

Friday, April 15, 2022

Agency Reviewed / Investigated:

Department of Homeland Security

Submitting OIG-Specific Report Number:

OIG-22-36

Component, if applicable:

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

Location(s):

Agency-Wide

Type of Report:

Audit

Special Projects:

Pandemic

Questioned Costs:

Funds for Better Use:

Number of Recommendations:

View Document:

Attachment	Size
OIG-22-36-Apr22-mgmtalert.pdf	3.05 MB

Recommendation Number	Recommendation Status	Significant Recommendation	Additional Details
1	Open	No
We recommend that the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator immediately issue modified COVID-19 Funeral Assistance operating procedures that align with the Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide provisions 9 OIG requested relevant documentation during a November 16, 2021 meeting with FEMA on this topic. www.oig.dhs.gov 7 OIG-22-36 We recommend that the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator immediately issue modified COVID-19 Funeral Assistance operating procedures that align with the Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide provisions on ineligible funeral assistance expenses and ensure all future cost reimbursements by FEMA in connection with the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program are necessary expenses associated with funeral services and/or burials.

Recommendation Number

Recommendation Status

Significant Recommendation

Additional Details

Open

We recommend that the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator immediately issue modified COVID-19 Funeral Assistance operating procedures that align with the Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide provisions 9 OIG requested relevant documentation during a November 16, 2021 meeting with FEMA on this topic. www.oig.dhs.gov 7 OIG-22-36 We recommend that the Federal Emergency Management Agency Administrator immediately issue modified COVID-19 Funeral Assistance operating procedures that align with the Individual Assistance Program and Policy Guide provisions on ineligible funeral assistance expenses and ensure all future cost reimbursements by FEMA in connection with the COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Program are necessary expenses associated with funeral services and/or burials.

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Management Alert - FEMA's COVID-19 Funeral Assistance Operating Procedures Are Inconsistent with Previous Interpretation of Long-Standing Regulations for Eligible Funeral Expenses

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