County hears rise in funeral assistance requests, considers loosening eligibility or raising caps

Representatives from Northeast Side Community Action presented data showing a change in the small‑numbers general relief caseload for Chickasaw County and neighboring counties, and flagged funeral assistance as an emerging need.

Presenter (speaker 5) said the county served three households for funerals so far in the current fiscal year and paid about $3,000 total for those cases. The presenter reminded the board that eligibility is stringent — tied to 100% of federal poverty guidelines, household and asset limits, and housing caps — and that general relief is intended as a last‑resort safety net. Several applicants were denied this fiscal year for reasons ranging from exceeding income limits to an auto or home value threshold or other funding sources that reimbursed first.

Supervisors discussed whether the main barrier for families was the reimbursement level (the funeral caps) or the strict eligibility rules. County staff noted funeral assistance caps in the county code: burial/funeral assistance up to $2,000, cremation up to $1,000 and $500 for cemetery expenses, and suggested the board could either expand eligibility (adjust income or asset thresholds) or increase the burial/cremation/cemetery caps — or both. Board members asked for more data on how funeral directors interact with the county process and whether funeral vendors submit bills before or after county review.

Presenter and staff recommended further review and coordination with a planned six‑county meeting to craft ordinance or resolution language. The board agreed staff should prepare potential changes and return them for review and possible adoption at a later meeting.