Those arranging a funeral may be eligible for funding assistance from either the Department Work and Pensions (DWP) or the Scottish Government.
Scottish Government – Funeral Support Payment
Social Security Scotland’s Funeral Support Payment (FSP) is the most commonly known and available to assist with funeral costs in cases where a Scottish client is in receipt of certain benefits. Administered by Social Security Scotland, claimants are means-tested. Funds that a claimant has access to will be considered and may reduce or remove any payment awarded. To qualify, a claimant must be:
- Be in receipt of certain benefits (full list on mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment)
- Be responsible for funeral costs (with an account in their name and the nearest relative to the deceased or by other explanation to their responsibility)
- Live in Scotland
- Apply after the death, up to 6 months after the funeral date
Average payment for over 18s is £2,065. This may not cover the full cost of a funeral and is made up of a fixed payment plus a cremation or burial fee.
Some repatriation costs may be covered should the person who’s died be more than 50 miles from the funeral location.
Claims can be reduced or rejected if there is a prepaid funeral plan in place or life insurance or other policies exist which could be used to cover funeral costs. This extends to savings of the deceased. The choice of a direct cremation may also influence the amount awarded.
Department Work and Pensions (DWP) – Bereavement Support Payment
This payment is available to UK citizens who lose a married or civil partner, or living with a partner as if married, before reaching state pension age. The person who’s passed must have paid National Insurance contributions for a minimum of 25 consecutive weeks. This is checked for applicants by DWP should there be any doubt about qualification. The payment is not a means-tested award so available to all UK citizens who meet the qualifying criteria no matter what income they have.
There are two levels of payment:
- The higher rate available to those who have a child of “child benefit receiving age” or are pregnant at the time of the death. This level could award a one off payment of £3500 and 18 monthly payments of £350.
- The normal rate available to those without a child at the time of the death. This award is a one off payment of £2500 followed by 18 months of £100.
Both payments can be applied for online, by post or phone.
Further funding advice can be obtained from the Government websites Funeralsupportpayment/mygov.scot or Howitworks.gov.uk or any Citizens Advice Bureau.