FUNERAL AND BEREAVEMENT BENEFITS

It is the new payment that replaces the UK Government's Funeral Expense Payment in Scotland as of 16th September 2019. The payment is available to people in Scotland that require support to meet the costs of a funeral. The Funeral Support Payment is for people who are on certain benefits or tax credits.

• Telephone - call freephone on 0800 182 2222 to complete the application over the phone

• Paper - call freephone 0800 182 2222 to request a paper application

• Online - go to mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment and complete the online application. There are two forms, one for a child/young person and one for an adult.

• The Claimant has the nearest relationship to the person who died. Please see the hierarchy list used from the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016.

• The Claimant is responsible for the payment of the funeral

• The Claimant lives in Scotland

• The deceased lived in the UK

• Th funeral takes place in the UK

• The Claimant is on at least one of the following qualifying benefits:
  

  • Universal Credit (UC)​

  • Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance

  • Income related Employment and Support Allowance

  • Pension Credit

  • Housing Benefit

  • Child Tax Credit (CTC)

  • Working Tax Credit (disability or severe disability element)​

An ​​eligibility checker is at the beginning of the online form and on page two of the paper application.

The Funeral Support Payment is a PART PAYMENT and will cover some, not all, of the funeral costs.

If eligible, the amount will depend on the amount claimed and what funds were left by the deceased.

• The burial and cremation costs (these vary throughout the country, please see mygov.scot/burial-cremation-costs-scotland

• A maximum of £1178.75 will be put towards the Funeral Director and any other expenses
  

  • Or £120 if the deceased had a funeral plan in place​

• Some travel, document and medical costs may also be covered​

Only one person per funeral should apply and only one payment will be made.

Before applying, the claimant should register the death and give Brodies the consent to speak with Social Security Scotland. This will minimise the time taken to process the application.

Claims can be made when the person who the funeral is for has died and up to six months after the date of the funeral.

Invoices/receipts for the items being claimed. A full funeral account can be made available from Brodies.

The claimant can be sent a pre-paid envelope to return the documents to Social Security Scotland.

The claimant should receive a decision within 10 working days upon SSS's receipt of a completed application form and all supporting evidence.

The funds will be paid directly into the claimant's chosen financial account or direct to the funeral director.

The funds do not need to be paid back by the claimant.

If it is discovered the deceased left financial assets, the SSS will recover the payment through the estate.

No, the payment does not affect any other benefits or tax credits.