§ 2-03 Application for Financial Assistance for Burial Expenses.
RCNY § 2-03
(a)An application shall be submitted to the Agency within sixty days of the date of death by the relative or friend of the deceased or an authorized representative.
(b)An application shall be made by personal appearance at the Burial Claims Unit.
(c)The applicant shall receive a prescribed application form. An applicant shall complete the application form before any assistance shall be authorized. All documents required to verify eligibility for and the amount of benefits must be submitted within sixty days of the application for benefits. Failure to provide such documents within the time set forth in this section shall result in a finding of ineligibility and a denial of the application except as stated in this subdivision (c). An applicant who cannot submit the documentation within sixty days of the date of application shall inform the Burial Claims Unit in writing of the delay and the reason therefor within the sixty-day period. Extensions of this period shall be granted at the discretion of the Burial Claims Unit.
(d)Applications on behalf of indigents who were in receipt of public assistance from the Human Resources Administration of New York City or Supplemental Security Assistance at the date of death may be made prior to burial and eligibility for a grant for burial expenses will be determined within two working days of application. If the applicant is a legally responsible relative, (s)he must also be a recipient of public assistance from the Human Resources Administration of New York City or Supplemental Security Assistance. If eligibility is found, the applicant shall be issued a pre-approval letter addressed to the funeral director acknowledging eligibility subject to the monetary and documentation requirements set forth in these regulations. Authorization for payment of burial expenses shall be deferred until receipt of all documentation. Such documentation must be supplied within 60 days of application except as described in 68 RCNY § 2-03(c). The Burial Claims Unit will make every effort to authorize payment within two weeks of receipt of all necessary documentation in cases under this subdivision (d).
(e)Application on behalf of indigents who were not in receipt of public assistance from the Human Resources Administration of New York or Supplemental Security Assistance at the date of death are subject to further eligibility verification. The Burial Claims Unit will make every effort to make a final determination of eligibility for payment within thirty days of receipt of all necessary documentation required in this regulation. Applicants who authorized the burial of public assistance or SSI recipients and who did not apply before burial as allowed in subdivision (d), are subject to this subdivision (e).
(f)Relatives and friends of a decedent who was a discharged member of the armed forces of the United States, a minor child or parent of any such member of the armed forces, or the spouse or unremarried surviving spouse of any such member of the armed forces shall apply to the Burial Claims Unit for a grant for burial expenses. The decedent shall be a legal resident of New York City at the time of death. The discharge status of the decedent shall be confirmed by the United State Department of Veterans Affairs.
