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Funeral Payment
A Funeral Payment is a one-off payment from the Social Fund, which, as the name suggests, is intended to help with the costs of arranging a funeral.
Your entitlement to a Funeral Payment will depend on your circumstances, and not of the person who has died. Although the Funeral Payment does not normally have to be repaid, the Department for Work and Pensions (who administer the payment) can recover the Funeral Payment if certain money is, or becomes, available.
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Do I qualify?
You will qualify for a Funeral Payment if you or your partner is receiving one of the following benefits:
- Income Support
- Income-based Job Seekers Allowance
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Benefit
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
In addition to receiving one or more of the above mentioned benefits and tax credits, you must also fall into one of the following categories of people:
- You were the partner of the deceased when he or she died
- You were the parent of, or responsible for, a child who has died or was still born. However, if there is another parent (including an absent parent) who is not receiving one of the benefits or tax credits mentioned above at the date of death, then you will not be regarded as responsible for paying for the funeral costs, and therefore will not be eligible for a funeral payment
- You were a close friend or close relative of the deceased, and it is reasonable for you to accept responsibility for the funeral expenses. In this situation, the nature and extent of your contact with the deceased will be considered
How much will I receive?
A Funeral Payment will cover the necessary costs of specified items or services, plus up to £700 for other funeral expenses.
A Funeral Payment will not be awarded to cover the costs that are already met under a pre-paid funeral plan or similar scheme for advance payment. However, the items that you can claim for are:
- The necessary costs of purchasing a new burial plot with exclusive right of burial and the necessary burial fees
- The necessary crematorium fees, including the costs of medical references, certificates and the fee for removing any medical device, such as a pacemaker. If the medical device is removed by anyone, other than a medical practitioner, the fee covered by the Funeral Payment is limited to £20.
- The reasonable costs of necessary transport in excess of 50 miles to transport the body to the funeral director’s premises or place of rest.
- The reasonable costs of necessary transport in excess of 50 miles to transport the coffin, bearers and up to one additional car, from the place of rest or funeral director’s premises, to the funeral. The journey must be necessary or the total cost (including burial) in an existing plot must not exceed the cost of such transport plus the purchase and burial costs of a new plot.
- The cost of any documentation required to release funds from the deceased’s assets.
- Up to £700 for other funeral expenses, such as coffin, funeral director’s fees, flowers, etc.
How do I claim?
You will need to complete the Funeral Payment claim form (SF200) in order to make your claim.
You can obtain the Funeral Payment claim form (SF200) by contacting your nearest Jobcentre Plus office.
Alternatively, you can download the claim form from the Department for Work and Pensions website by logging on to www.dwp.gov.uk, or by clicking your mouse on the following link:
Please click here to download the Funeral Payment claim form (SF200).
Is there anything else I should know?
You can claim a Funeral Payment at any time, starting from the date of death and up to three months after the date of the funeral.
A Funeral Payment will normally be paid directly to the Funeral Director, unless you have already paid the bill.
Funeral Payments are paid for through the Social Fund.
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