Councilman Rafael Salamanca Jr. recently introduced a legislation that would waive the fee to correct a death certificate to recognize COVID-19 as the cause of death.

When Councilmember Rafael Salamanca Jr.'s father died of COVID-19 in April 2020, the death certificate indicated that he died of natural causes.

The councilmember realized that many of his constituents experienced the same thing.

When the federal government started offering funeral assistance for deaths caused by COVID-19, it became a problem for people to get help.

Many New York City residents were unable have the funeral expenses covered for their loved ones because of inaccurate documentation on their death certificates.

In addition, many applications were denied because the death certificates did not state the real reason for their deaths.

One family tried to get their certificate corrected, but it is a complicated process that includes a $40 fee.

Jose Rivera's mother died from COVID-19. He shared, "This would definitely be a burden taken off many families who may feel that they don't have the $40 to change a family member's death certificate."

Based off of his own experience, Councilmember Salamanca saw the need for the bill within New York City.  The bill was passed last week.