Funeral Resources Available To Help Families Of Buffalo Shooting

New York Governor, Kathy Hochul, announced that a number of resources are available for the victims of the horrific mass shooting in Buffalo. Payton Gendron of Conklin, New York, about 200 miles southeast of Buffalo, drove into the city and targeted a Tops Friendly Market in an African-American neighborhood. He took the lives of 10 innocent people and injured three others on Saturday, May 14, 2022.

One man's hateful actions will forever affect the families, friends, and neighborhood. This senseless tragedy has also left the families of the victims with the financial burden of burying their loved ones. New York State has made monies available to help those families.

The Office of Victim Services can cover funeral and burial expenses up to $6,000. National Action Network has offered to cover any additional funeral expenses for the families of the victims of the shooting and New York State is closely coordinating to ensure that the money is getting to those who need it.

Staff from the Office of Victim Services will be in Buffalo this week to work directly with the families of victims. In addition to providing final expenses, the office can also help the victims who were injured in the shooting with medical expenses. Funds are also available for counseling, lost wages, and loss of support.

- Funeral and burial expenses: Up to $3,000 for an emergency award for these costs and up to $6,000 total.
- Medical and counseling expenses: No cap on the amount of financial assistance available to individuals and families, which allows victims and survivors to get help for as long as they need it.
- Lost wages and support, up to $30,000
- Loss of essential personal property, up to $500 for items necessary for health and welfare, like eyeglasses and clothes, includes $100 in cash.
- Moving expenses, up to $2,500
- Transportation to medical and other necessary appointments.
- Vocational and occupational rehabilitation

Any victims or families of victims needing assistance can reach out to the New York State Office of Victim Services here.