HennepinCountyBurialAssistance PolicyJanuary01,2018

MaximumBurialCosts

In accordancewith MNStatute§261.035,HennepinCountywillprovidefortheimmediateburialor directcremationfor residentsofthecountywhoareotherwiseunabletopaythecostofdisposition oftheirremains.TheBurialAssistanceProgramhasamaximumassistancelevelof $3,000.Thereisa$4,400capon thecostoftheburialinorder tobeeligibleto receiveburialassistance.Additionalupgradestoservicesandpurchases canbe madeaslongastheytotal$1,400orless. Anyfundsthat arepre-paidforanypartof theburialassistancearedeductedfromthe $3,000county contribution. Whilefamiliesareallowedto contributeup to$1,400, thispaymentcannotbemadeinadvanceofapprovalofburialassistancefunds. The total costofthe burialcannotexceed $4,400. Theratestructureisthesameregardlessofage,cremation ortraditionalservices. Exception: See Immediate Burial Policy

HennepinCountycosts arelimitedto andwillonlyauthorizepaymentforthe followingservices:

Burial space

Openingandclosingofgrave

Vault

Casket(maximum payment forcasket is $800)/Urn(maximumpaymentforurnis$200.00)

Cremation

Professionalservices

HennepinCountywill not reimburseforburialexpenseonce paidtothe funeralhome.

Adetailedinvoicewhichincludesapplicantsandfuneral directorssignature isrequiredbeforepaymentcanbemade.

Asof03/01/13HennepinCountywillnolongerpayforoutofstateburials.HennepinCountywillpaytohavecrematedremainsshippedviaGreyhoundbus,FedExoranothercarriertoareceivingstate.IfaHennepinCountyresidentdieswhilevisitinganotherstateinwhichtheywishtobeburiedorcremated,HennepinCountywillpayupto$3,000providingthetotalburialdoesnotexceedthe$4,400limit.IfaHennepinCountyresidentdieswhilevisitinganotherstateandthenextofkinwanttheremainstransportedtoMinnesota,thecostofthetransportationandallcostsassociatewiththeburialcannotexceed$4,400.Notransportationcostscanbepre-paidpriortotheHennepinCountyBurialAssistanceapplication. Any pre-paidcosts willbe used to off-setthe HennepinCounty maximumpayment of $3,000.

Funeral Homes/Crematories/Cemeteries

Theservice providersmustincludethe applicationforburialassistance,authorizationto releaseinformationforms,alongwiththesignedcontractbythe next ofkin/applicant,andthe funeraldirector showingthetotal charges for services.Invoicesand/orcontractscanbefaxedtotheBurialAssistanceProgram.

InterviewingApplicants

An in-personinterviewisnotneededhoweversome applicants maywishto complete theapplicationinperson.Wewillaccommodatethoserequestsbyseeing walk inclientsandcallersrequestinganappointment.

ProcessingTimelines

Ourintentionisto processapplicationswithin48hoursof receiptofallrequireddocuments whenever possible.

Approval

Once thedecisionhas beenmadeto approvetheapplication, theNextofKin/Applicantwillbe calledandinformedof the approvalandtheamount of approvedassistance. Asystemgeneratedapprovalnoticewillbesentto theapplicant.

Applicants

The approvalletter totheapplicant for BurialAssistanceshouldcontainthefollowinginformation:

1.Thename ofthedeceasedperson

2.Anyamountdue theprovidersfromtheapplicantorthe estate.

ReceiptofApplication

The applicationmustbereceived within14 daysof the date ofdeathornotificationbytheMedicalExaminer.Exception: See Immediate Burial Policy. Anyexceptionsrequiresupervisor approval. Iftheapplicantorfuneralhomeclaimstohaveappliedearlierthanwe receivetheapplicationtheymustprovideproof(FAXtime/datestamp).Ifunableto provideproof thatapplicationwassent wewillhonor thedate receiptisdocumented. Anyoutstandingverification(s)mustbereceivedwithin30 daysof the datetheapplicationwasreceived.

Residency

InordertobeeligibleforHCBurialAssistance,thedeceasedpersonmustmeet Hennepin Countyresidencyrequirements.Citizenshipdoesnotfactorintoresidency.

Residency is metinany ofthefollowingways;

Ifon PublicAssistance,HennepinCountymustbe thefinanciallyresponsiblecounty,(CFR).***Deceasedcouldbein anursinghome inanother county,butifHennepinisfinanciallyresponsibleforthe case,Hennepinisfinanciallyresponsible for the burialassistance. Thecountya personmovesfromremainsfinanciallyresponsiblefor3 months.

IfnotonPublicAssistance,theDPmusthavealast knownaddress inHennepinCountyand beableto provideverificationof this.Verificationcanbea leaseagreement,rentreceipt,mail received,etc.

ResidencyandStudents

Whendeterminingthecountyof responsibilityfor acollegestudent,considerthelivingarrangement.Generallyspeaking, if theylivedinoffcampus,yearroundhousing,considerthe countyin whichtheylivedto bethecountyofresponsibility. Iftheylivedin adormitory,orothernon- permanenthousing,considertheirparent’sresidenceto betheirpermanentaddress.

ResidencyandTravelers

Ifindividuals arevacationing/visiting/travelingthroughthecounty,thecounty/state/countryin whichtheyarefromisresponsiblefor their burial, not Hennepin County. However,ifsomeonerecently movedhere,and proves the intent to permanently reside in Hennepin County wewouldconsiderthem tobeMinnesota residents. Use CFR criteria for determining HC financial responsibility.

ReimbursementtoOtherCounties

Onlyreimbursementofup to$3,000.00willbeauthorizedtoanycountyaslongasHennepinCountyisthecountyoffinancialresponsibility (CFR).

Denial

Whenanapplicationis denied,theapplicantwillbeinformedin writing,unlessthedenialisdue tocountyoffinancialresponsibility.Inthosesituations,aphonecallinformingboth theapplicant andtheserviceprovidersissufficient.

Thelettertotheapplicantshouldstate:

1.The reasonfor denial

2.Informationinformingtheapplicantthattheyhave therightto appeal.Thetimeframes inwhich toappeal.

Appeals

Theapplicanthasarighttoanappealhearingwhenanapplicationisdenied.Ourdenialletterinformsapplicantsthattheymust appealwithin 60days.Italsoinformsthemthatiftheyhaveagoodreasontodelaylongerthan60 days,theymayhave 90days. Appealsshouldbe senttotheState.

Once the Statereceives an appeal,thehearingiscoordinatedthrough theEligibilitySupportsAppealprocess. Thestaffin theAppealsOfficewillnotifytheBurialAssistancestaff.

IncomeofDeceasedPerson

Earned IncomeofResponsible Relative(Spouseorparentofminorchild)

Ifthe responsiblepersonisemployed,wemustrequestpaystubs fromthelast30days. Alloftheirincomeiscountedtowardsmeetingtheincomelimittest.

HHIncomeLimits(2017):

Iftheresponsibleindividualhasearned income, theHHIncomeLimitsfor their HH sizewilldetermineifthe incomeisatorbelow thestandardforthe householdsize. Do not count the deceased person in the HH.

Mustbeatorbelow275%ofthefederalpovertylevelHouseholdSize / MonthlyIncome / AnnualIncome
1 / $2763 / $33,165
2 / $3721 / $44,660
3 / $4679 / $56,155
4 / $5637 / $67.650
5 / $6595 / $79, 145
Each Additional Member / $957 / $11,495

UnearnedIncome:

Sourcesofcountableunearnedincomecouldbeunemploymentbenefits,worker’scompensationpayments,trustpayments,etc.

We donotcountpublicassistancepayments suchas MFIP,GA,MSA ifdeceasedwasonpublicassistance

RSDIand VAbenefitsareconsidered sourcesofunearnedincomeandbecomean assetifthereareremainingfundsafterdeath.SSIisconsideredafederallyfundedpublicassistance benefitandisexcluded.

RentalIncomefrompropertyownedbythedeceased

The rentalincomebelongsto theestate,andisthereforeavailablefor burialexpenses.

SocialSecurityBenefits

RSDI

RSDIbenefitsaregenerallypaidtoindividualsonthe3rd.ofeachmonthhoweversomeindividualsreceivestaggeredissuance.Regardlessofwhatdaythebenefitsareissuedon,theyareintendedforthepreviousmonth. In orderfor anindividualto be eligiblefor theirRSDIincome,theymustlivethe entiremonth.

SSI-(SupplementalSecurityIncome)

SSIispaidonthefirstofthemonthforwhichitisintended.SSIrecipientsdonothavetobealiveeverydayofthemonthforwhichtheirbenefitsareintended.IftheydieonJune3rd.theykeepalloftheirJuneissuance.

ASSETS

Availableassetsarecountedevenifonpublic assistance.ExcludedAssets:

  • Exclude$1,000.00ifthereisa survivingspouse,ordependentchildrenor both. (Maximumexclusionis $1,000).
  • Excludetheincomeofthedeceasedifreceivinganycashbenefitsfrom SSI, GA,MSAorMFIP.
  • Exclude the1sthome,ifthereisasurviving spouseordependentchildrenlivinginthehome.
  • Exclude thefirstvehicleifthereisa survivingspouse as the spouse can transfer the title based on DMV policy.
  • If the NOK is an adult child, other relative, significant other, etc. they may not be able to access the title for transfer. See DMV policy above. If unable to access the title, exclude the vehicle.
  • Exclude allvehiclesprior totheyear 2000thataresolelyownedbythedeceased,exceptthosethathaveCollector Plates. The valueof collectorcarswillbeincludedasan asset if able to be liquidated per DMV policy.
  • Excludevehiclesarejointlyownedbysomeoneoutsidethe HHandnottheresponsiblerelative.

Assetsvs.Income

1.Theincome of thedeceased personisconsideredincome in the month received and an asset thereafter. It isnot counted whenyou dotheincomelimittest as the deceased person is not in the household.

2.Theincome of theresponsiblerelativeisconsideredincome,andiscountedfor theincomelimittest.

3.Whenthereisa responsiblerelative,andthey meettheincomelimittest,youthenlookat theavailableassets.

EstateoftheDeceased Person

Allassetsbelongingtotheestateofthedeceasedexceptthoseexcludedabove,aretobeconsideredasavailableforthecostoftheburial.Thisincludeslifeinsurancebenefits,(seebelow)nursinghomeaccountbalances,pre-paidburialaccounts,(seebelow)insurancesettlements,andvictim’sreparations.

LifeInsurancePolicies

If there isalifeinsurancepolicy,wemustknowwho thebeneficiaryisbeforewecanconsiderusingburialassistancefunds. Ifthereisa livingbeneficiarywhoisconsideredto be thenextofkin(spouse,childadult orminorchild),sibling,aunt,uncle,cousin,etc. the proceedsfromthelifeinsurance payoutmustbeusedfor burialexpenses. Ifthereisnospecificbeneficiarynamedorifthe beneficiaryisthefuneraldirector, theproceedsmustbeusedforthe burialof theindividual. HennepinCounty willnotapproveburialassistancepaymentswithoutverificationofthe lifeinsurance proceeds.

Pre-paidBurialAccounts-CountedvsExcludedAssets

If deceasedhasprepaidforfuneral servicesincludingcasket,bodypreparation,professionalservicesorhasaburialaccounttrust, irrevocabletrust accountor lifeinsurancepolicythese areallconsideredcountableassetsandappliedagainstthe maximumlevelofburialassistance($3,000.00).

Ifpriorto thedateofdeath thedeceasedpaidfor theburialplot,whichmayincludechargesfor openingandclosingofgrave,itisconsidered excludedrealpropertyandisnotcountedasanavailableasset.

Donations,FundRaisersorOtherContributions

In somecircumstances theremaybecommunity donations,fundraisers,etc.raisedforthe deceasedorsurvivingfamilymembers. Theseassetsmustbeconsideredprior toapprovingBurialAssistance.

HennepinCountyBurialAssistanceSpecialistswillholdthe application for7daysbefore processinginordertoallowdonationstobeacceptedandverified. Proceedsfromfund-raising,donationsandanyothercontributionsfromfriends,familyand/orthe communityareconsideredassetsand areapplied against the Hennepin County Burial Assistance Maximum Payment.

DemandforNotice

Oftentimes,afteran individualdies, theirestatebecomes involvedin ProbateCourt. Ifthecountypaidthecost of burialexpenses,the county hasaninterest in obtainingrepaymentfromtheproceedsoftheestate.Forexample,ifthedeceasedindividualownedahouse,theproceedsfromthesaleofthe housecanbesoughtasreimbursementfor burial expensesandalsofor some Medical Assistance payments.

Veteran’sBurial Benefits

Veterans, andinsomecases,theirspouses,maybeentitledtofreeburial(burialplotonly)atFortSnellingNationalCemetery.Theburialincludesthe feesforthe openingandclosingofthegrave,aswellastheheadstone.

The VAiscommitted toensuringthatallveteransobtainthe benefitstheyareentitledto.Ifthenextofkindoes notknowif theindividualis a veteran,weshouldrefer theseindividuals toourVeteran’sServicesOffice,at612-348-3499.

Individualsmayalsocontact theVA directly,todetermineif thedeceasedorthespouseof thedeceasedwasaveteran.

Verificationrequestsforveteranstatus ofadultdecedentsshouldbemadeto VAregionaloffices,medicalfacilities, orVAnationalcemeteries.BycallingtheVAtoll-free benefitsnumber,1-800-827-1000,youwillreach a representativewhocanverifyifadecedentwasaveteranandif VA burialbenefitsareinorder.

Note:The VAisunabletoverify veteranstatusofunidentifiedremains.

Whatinformationisrequiredforverification?Theinformationneededforverificationisthedecedent'snameandVAclaimnumber(ifknown).Otherwise,asmuchofthefollowinginformationaspossiblewillbeuseful:SocialSecuritynumber,dateof birth,branch of military service,servicenumber,andservice dates.

Whatistheapplication process? ContactHennepin CountyVeteran’sServicesofficeforassistancewiththisprocess.

Whatisthe time limittoapplyforVAburialallowances? There isnotimelimitforclaimingreimbursementof burialexpensesfor aservice-relateddeath.Innon- servicerelateddeaths,theclaimmustbefiledwithin2 years of theveteran'sburial.

Are thererelated VAbenefits?Thefollowing are additionalVAbenefits foreligibleveterans:

  • Burial Flag-AUnitedStatesflagisprovidedforveteranswhoservedhonorably.The purposeoftheflag istodrapetheveteran'scasket. Theflagshouldbepresentedtotheveteran'snextofkinimmediatelyafter the burial.
  • BurialatVANationalCemeteries- Anyveteran with honorableserviceiseligibleforburialataVAnationalcemetery.Thenearestcemeteryshouldbe contacted for arrangements.Veteransarealsoeligiblefor burialatstateveteran’scemeteries.
  • Headstone andMarker - Aheadstoneor markeris provided fortheburial ofveteranswhoservedhonorably.TheNationalCemeteryAdministrationarrangesthat for burialatitsnationalcemeteries.Onapplication,VAwillalsoprovideaheadstoneormarkerforburials atothercemeteries.
  • Presidential MemorialCertificate.Acertificatehonoring thememoryof veteranswhoservedhonorablyissent to theveteran'snextofkin,andother lovedonesonrequest.Thecertificatebears the President'ssignature.

FinancialHelpforVictimsofViolentCrimes

Requirements:

Crimemust haveoccurredinMNandthe deceasedis aresidentofMN.There areexceptionsforresidents visitingothercountriesorstates. Innocentvictimsofa violentcrime,inotherwords theyweren’tinthe actof committingacrimeorcontributingto theincidentthroughanymisconduct.

Thecrimemusthavereportedthecrimewithin30daystothepoliceandcooperatewith theinvestigation.EligibleApplicant:

  • Personthathaspaidforsomeofthe servicesforthevictim
  • Dependents,familymembersorestateof thevictim
  • Guardian,conservator,AREPofanyof thesepersons

What expensesarepaid?

  • Burialexpensesforvictimsof crimesaredeterminedon acasebycasebasis.
  • FuneralandBurialCosts-up tothemaximumamount of $6,500.00including travel.
  • Theyare tobethe payer oflastresort,makingup foranyamountthatthefamilyorBurialAssistancehasnot already paid.

Peoplemay beentitledto both BurialAssistance andfunding fromtheCrime VictimsReparationsBoard.

The approvaloffundingfromthe CrimeVictimsReparationsBoardtakesonaverageapproximately4months. There arehowevercasesthat pendlongerdependingonthelengthof theinvestigation.

Wedonot forward BurialAssistanceapplicationstothe CrimeVictimsReparationsBoard.Refer familiesto651-201-7300tomakeapplication if appeartohave abasisof eligibility.

Abbreviations/Acronyms:BA-BurialAssistance

DP-DeceasedPerson

NOK-NextofKin

RR-ResponsibleRelative

FP-FuneralProvider

Definitions:

Demandfor Notice -HennepinCountymust seekreimbursementwheneverpossiblefor benefitsissued.Whenanestatecomesbefore theProbate Court,theProbatestaffmustbenotified,sotheycandetermineifthecountywill seekreimbursement for BurialAssistancepaymentsand/orMedicalAssistancepayments.Burial AssistancestaffandProbatestaffcompletesa DemandforNoticeFormandfilesit withProbateCourtinsituationswherethecounty maypossiblyseekreimbursement.

Excluded Assets -Excludedassetsareassetsthatcannoteasilybeliquidatedtopayforburialcosts,orassetsthatareneededtomaintainthe safety andstabilityof survivingdependents,andspousesof thedeceased.

Liquid Assets- Liquidassetsareassetsthatcaneasily beconvertedinto cash.Theyinclude: Cashonhand,checkingaccounts,savingsaccounts,certificatesofdeposit,moneymarketaccounts,stocks,bonds,lifeinsurance accounts,prepaidburialaccounts,etc.

Responsible Relative -IftheDP wasmarriedatthetimeofdeath,theirspouseisaresponsiblerelative.Ifthe DPwasaminorchild, the parentsof theminorchildareresponsiblerelatives. Aresponsiblerelativeissomeone thecountyconsidersto befinanciallyresponsiblefor thefuneralexpenses.Theresponsiblerelative’sincomeandassetsareconsideredavailableandmustbe verified.Theresponsiblerelativeisrequiredtocompletethesupplemental application.

FrequentlyAskedQuestions(FAQ)

Whataboutpurchasingflowers,headstones,planetickets,memorials,monuments,funeralattire,etc.?

HennepinCountyBurialAssistancedoesnotconsiderpayment ofcostsassociatedwithmonuments,funeralattire,flowers,etc.asavailableto offsetthe$3,000.

Themoneybelongingto the estateofthe deceasedcannotbespentonextras,beforethestandardexpensesarepaid.If there ismorethan$3,000 in thedeceasedperson’saccount, they arenoteligibleforburialassistance.Theycannotspenddownthe money,paying for plane tickets,memorials,etc,andthenrequest burialassistancetopayfortheburial.

If the burialexpenseshavebeenpaidfor bythe estate,additional “reasonable”burialexpensessuchassomeof thosementionedabovemayalso bepurchasedbefore theprobate areacapturesremainingfunds.

Whataboutupgradingtheservicesthecountypaysfor?

HennepinCountyBurialAssistanceallowsfamilymemberstoupgradeservices.Forexample,iftheadultchildofthe deceased wants to pay for a moreexpensivecasket,itisallowableupto the $4,400maximumcostintotality.

Whatabouttransportation?

HennepinCountywill payfortransportation expenses (oftheDP)withinthe stateofMinnesota.Wewillnot payfortransportationoutsidethestate of Minnesota.

WhataboutOutofStateburials?

Asof03/01/13HennepinCountywillnolongerpayforoutofstateburials.HennepinCountywillpaytohavecrematedremainsshippedviaGreyhoundbus,FedExoranothercarriertoareceivingstate.IfaHennepinCountyresidentdieswhilevisitinganotherstateinwhichtheywishtobeburiedorcremated,HennepinCountywillpayupto$3,000providingthetotalfuneraldoesnotexceedthe$4,400limit.IfaHennepinCountyresidentdieswhilevisitinganotherstateandthenextofkinwanttheremainstransportedtoMinnesota,thecostofthetransportationandallcostsassociatewiththeburialcannotexceed$4,400.00.No transportationcostscanbepre-paidpriorto theHennepin County Burial Assistanceapplication. Any pre-paidcosts willbe used to off-setthe HennepinCounty maximumpayment of $3,000.00.

Immediate Burials

Some religions/cultures/communities require immediate burial within 24 hours or as near to the time of death as possible. Hennepin County seeks to honor cultural traditions and as such in limited circumstances will allow reimbursement for pre-paid burial expenses as follows:

  • Burial expenses cannot exceed the county maximum of $4400 including donated plots, caskets, services and markers.
  • Payments (reimbursements) will be made up to the Hennepin County maximum payment level of $3,000.00
  • All reimbursements will be sent to the funeral home/cemetery. It will be the responsibility of the funeral home/cemetery to reimburse the client/next of kin. The time frame for reimbursement will be determined by the funeral home/cemetery. Hennepin County takes no responsibility for the actual reimbursement of paid expenses.
  • All requests for reimbursement will be on a case by case basis. Review of all assets (deceased person, spouse and/or responsible relative) is required. Reimbursement requests must be approved by either the Burial Assistance Supervisor or Manager.
  • Burial Assistance applications that include a request for reimbursement must be made within 48 hours of the burial.
  • Verification of gifts/loans, etc. must include a receipt of payment and the following information:
  • Name of person(s) making the loan
  • Address of the person
  • Social Security Number
  • Relationship to NOK or deceased person