The U.S. government will pay me for dying and contribute to cremation costs? Yup – it’s true. A government subsidy for dying…oh my. Well, it’s not as morbid as it would seem at first glance.
We all know that losing a loved one is extremely difficult, and the average cost of a funeral is high. So, what happens when loved ones cannot afford the funeral? If you are a U.S. resident and the recipient of Medicaid benefits, you could be eligible to receive some help toward funeral costs. It’s not a blank check and there are stipulations, here are the strange details:
Medicaid Death Benefits
The government insurance program known as Medicaid provides medical coverage for people of all ages who cannot pay for healthcare. Medicaid resources are administered by the states. And, state government programs can vary when there is a leadership change, so be sure to check again as new leadership comes in. You should also know that just qualifying for Medicaid does not mean the government will cover any of your funeral costs.
For example, in the state of Colorado, Medicaid assistance is handled by the Department of Human Services in the County in which you live. Here are some of the coverages available in Colorado: *
- If you are 65 and over, you’re eligible for the entire $1500 funeral benefit via Medicaid, providing you were authorized for Medicaid benefits at the time of death.
- If you are under 65 and pass, your maximum Medicaid benefit is $1000.
- The catch? Your funeral costs cannot exceed $2500 TOTAL and the balance must be paid by your family or another source.
- And? You can’t have any pre-planning or pre-paid funeral benefits in place.
If you live in the state of Colorado, follow this link to find your county and what they offer: https://www.colorado.gov/pacific/cdhs/contact-your-county
How do I find out what my state offers?
The easiest way to find information on funeral assistance for eligible parties in your state is to do a web search. If you search for “[state] Medicaid Funeral expense” you should be well on your way to a great list of resources to assist you in your time of need.
Keep in mind when applying for state, county or local aid, your status regarding Federal programs such as veterans’ benefits or social security will supersede local aid.
So, yes. It’s strange, but it’s true – there are government subsidies for death to help defray funeral expenses for qualified parties!
So what say you? Do you have any strange but true facts to share with the Une Belle Vie readership? We’d love to hear from you. Leave a comment below and a relevant link if possible!
*The Colorado coverages listed above were based on our research at the time of writing. While we vet our information to the best of our ability, state laws and coverages may have changed. Please check with your state resources for currently available coverages at the time of your need.
Contact Une Belle Vie Customer Service