Funeral Payments are available to people who receive certain income-related benefits to help pay towards the cost of a funeral for an immediate friend or relative.
The government consulted on reforms to make it clearer who is eligible for a payment and make it easier for people to claim.
Minister for Family Support, Housing and Child Maintenance Caroline Dinenage said:
Losing a loved one is a sad and difficult time and we want to make the process of claiming a funeral payment as simple as possible.
I want to thank those who responded to our consultation and I am pleased that we will be bringing in all its recommendations to make it easier for people to make a claim.
The improvements include:
- allowing recipients of a Funeral Payment to receive contributions from relatives, friends or charities without it being deducted from the payment
- extending the claim period from 3 to 6 months from the date of the funeral
- allowing applicants to submit evidence electronically to speed up the processing of claims and get decisions to claimants sooner
- introducing a shorter application form for children’s funerals
More information
Funeral Payments can help pay for the costs of a simple, respectful funeral for people on qualifying benefits. This includes:
- burial fees and exclusive rights of burial in a particular plot
- medical certification fees needed for cremations, including the cost of the doctor’s certificate
- travel to arrange or go to the funeral
- the cost of moving the body within the UK, if it’s being moved more than 50 miles
- death certificates or other documents
- up to £700 for other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin
People in receipt of the following benefits may be eligible for a Funeral Payment:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Working Tax Credit which includes a disability or severe disability element
- Child Tax Credit
The changes will be brought in next year.
Contact Press Office
Press Office
Caxton House
Tothill Street
London
SW1H 9NA
London Press Office (national media and London area enquiries only – not questions about personal claims)
020 3267 5144
Out-of-hours (journalists only)
076 59 108 883
England and Wales (local media enquiries)
029 20 586 then 097 or 098 or 099
Scotland (local media enquiries)
0131 310 1122
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Link: Press release: Claiming a Funeral Payment to be made easier
Source: Gov Press Releases
