Department of Transitional Assistance Funeral & Burial Benefits

 

Under Massachusetts law, the Department of Transitional Assistance (DTA) offers a benefit to pay for funeral and burial expenses for Massachusetts residents who are truly indigent and have no means to pay for a funeral or burial. One way to think about what the benefit includes is what used to be called a ‘Pauper’s burial’. A common misconception of the program is that the benefit can be used to supplement what a family is willing and/or able to pay for funeral/burial expenses. As is explained below in detail, the DTA benefit is to be used as a last resort, when there are no other options available.

The $1,100 benefit pays for funeral and burial expenses, as long as the cost does not exceed $1,500 Those who may be eligible for this benefit include individuals receiving EAEDC, TAFDC, SSI or individuals with MassHealth who have less than $1,500 in assets at the time of death. The benefit amount paid by DTA may be reduced by whatever financial resources exist in the estate of the deceased individual or any assets belonging to a spouse. DTA will investigate if the recipient was eligible for Social Security death benefits, Veteran's death benefits, prepaid funeral and burial contracts, life insurance and other funds set aside for funeral and burial expenses. As DTA will only pay up to $1,100, there is still a $400 balance that must be paid to the funeral home. This cost is the responsibility of the deceased’s family or partner.

Eligibility Case Examples:

Mr. Black was a resident in a long-term-care facility. He only asset at the time of his death was a personal needs account of $600. The funeral and burial expenses are $1,500. DTA staff will deduct $600 from the maximum allowable cost of $1,500. DTA staff can only authorize a funeral and burial payment of $900.

Mr. White’s only asset at the time of his death was a bank account with $300. The funeral and burial expenses were $1,500. DTA staff will deduct $300 from the maximum allowable cost of $1,500. Although there is a balance due of $1,200, the authorization for the funeral and burial payment may not exceed $1,100.

Mr. Green’s wife is a financially responsible relative. At the time of Mr. Green’s death, Mrs. Green had a bank account with $1,800. Since her assets exceed the $1,500 maximum allowable funeral and burial cost, Mr. Green is not eligible to have any of his funeral and burial expenses paid by DTA. The application will be denied.

What does the Funeral Benefit Cover?

Expenses include a casket, transportation of a casket, embalming, and a burial plot. Expenses typically include cremation only where the deceased or the deceased’s next of kin stated a preference for cremation. Headstones and/or monuments are not included in the benefit. This, understandably, can be difficult for the deceased’s loved-ones. Some loved-ones may propose, as in the case below, that they supplement the DTA benefits by paying for additional costs such as for a headstone. Unfortunately, this would effectively raise the cost of the funeral to above $1,500, maximum total cost thatDTA covers –making the applicant ineligible. One option might be to opt for cremation and for the loved ones to arrange for disposal of the ashes in a way that honors the life of the deceased.

CRC Case Example:

A social worker contacted the CRC for advice on paying for funeral expenses. The social worker had been following the patient for a number of months and was well aware of his limited financial resources and his lack of immediate family. The social worker initially suggested that the patient’s highly involved friends contact a funeral home in the area to inquire about the DTA Funeral benefit. The Patient was receiving cash assistance in addition to MassHealth benefits, and therefore, the likelihood that he would eligible for such funds, was very high.

The patient’s friends were most unhappy to learn that the Funeral Benefit did not include a headstone or grave marker. To complicate matters, the friends were willing to contribute some of their own money and raise money through their local church in order to purchase a monument. However, the Funeral director explained that she would be unable to in good conscience apply for DTA funds, if the friends were able to come up with money for a monument.

Upon further investigation by the CRC staff, it was discovered that the burial plots included in the DTA Funeral Benefits do not include any type of marker and are truly to be used in a last resort situation. Therefore, it is the recommendation of the Funeral Director and the CRC that if the family is able to pay for the funeral basics, and also would like to purchase a headstone, that they do so privately. Some monument companies offer payment installment plans; in addition, funeral homes may be able to assist in planning an economical funeral or burial.

How to Access

The patient's family or social worker should contact a funeral home which will seek authorization through DTA. The request for payment of funeral and burial expenses should be processed by the DTA office that has the deceased’s active or pending case for cash assistance. DTA gives authorization for a burial the same day, even for people who are not in the DTA system, unless it is a Friday or the day before a holiday. In those cases, the authorization will come on the next business day. The family member or individual who will sign all authorizations should stay in close contact with the funeral home to speed up the process and help keep costs at $1,500 or less.

For More Information

The policy governing funerals and burials is found in the Transitional Cash Assistance Programs: Related Benefits – 105 CMR 705.700-705.710

For any policy questions please call the DTA Policy Hotline at 617-348-8478.

For information about more funeral and burial funds, please see the CRC document “Resources for Final Arrangements: A Guide for Loved Ones”: http://healthcare.partners.org/ss/ssframebottom/staffresources/resources/funeral1.htm#Funds

3/09