Get help with funeral costs (Funeral Expenses Payment)

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1. How it works

You could get a Funeral Expenses Payment (also called a Funeral Payment) if you get certain benefits and need help to pay for a funeral you바카라 사이트檙e arranging.

This guide is also available in Welsh (Cymraeg).

If you live in Scotland

You can . It has replaced Funeral Expenses Payment in Scotland.

If you receive money from the deceased바카라 사이트檚 estate

Your Funeral Expenses Payment will be deducted from any money you get from the deceased바카라 사이트檚 estate.

The estate includes any money or property they had but not a house or personal things left to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner.

What you바카라 사이트檒l get

Funeral Expenses Payment can help pay for some of the costs of the following:

  • burial fees for a particular plot
  • cremation fees, including the cost of the doctor바카라 사이트檚 certificate
  • travel to arrange or go to the funeral
  • the cost of moving the body within the UK, if it바카라 사이트檚 being moved more than 50 miles
  • death certificates or other documents

You can also get up to 拢1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director바카라 사이트檚 fees, flowers or the coffin.

The payment will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral.

How much you get depends on your circumstances. This includes any other money that바카라 사이트檚 available to cover the costs, for example from an insurance policy or the deceased person바카라 사이트檚 estate.

Check the claim form notes for full details of what Funeral Expenses Payment covers.

If the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan, you can only get up to 拢120 to help pay for items not covered by their plan.

How the money is paid

Funeral Expenses Payment is paid into your bank, building society or credit union account if you바카라 사이트檝e already paid for the funeral.

The money will be paid directly to the organiser of the funeral (for example, the funeral director) if you have not paid yet.

2. Eligibility

You can get a Funeral Expenses Payment if all of the following apply:

  • you get certain benefits or tax credits
  • you meet the rules on your relationship with the deceased
  • you바카라 사이트檙e arranging a funeral in the UK, the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland

You might be able to get if you바카라 사이트檙e not eligible for Funeral Expenses Payment.

Benefits you must get

You (or your partner) must get one or more of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • income-based Jobseeker바카라 사이트檚 Allowance
  • income-related Employment and Support Allowance
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
  • Child Tax Credit

You might also be eligible if you바카라 사이트檙e getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan.

You can still claim Funeral Expenses Payment if you바카라 사이트檝e applied for these benefits and you바카라 사이트檙e waiting to hear about your claim.

Rules on your relationship with the deceased

You might be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment if you are:

  • the partner of the deceased
  • the parent of a baby stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy
  • the parent or person responsible for a deceased child who was under 16 (or under 20 and in approved education or training)

If a close relative of the deceased (such as a sibling or parent) is in work or not getting a qualifying benefit, you might not get a Funeral Expenses Payment.

If you바카라 사이트檙e a close relative or friend

You might be able to get a Funeral Expenses Payment if:

  • the deceased did not have a partner when they died
  • the partner of the deceased or parent of a deceased child cannot claim (for example, they live abroad or are in prison)

3. Make a claim

You must apply within 6 months of the funeral, even if you바카라 사이트檙e waiting for a decision on a qualifying benefit.

You can make a claim before the funeral if you바카라 사이트檝e got an invoice or signed contract from the funeral director. It cannot be an estimate.

If you get Universal Credit, you will not get a decision on your claim until after your next payment.

There바카라 사이트檚 a different way to claim if you live in .

How to claim

Claim by phone by calling the Bereavement Service helpline.

Bereavement Service helpline

Telephone: 0800 151 2012
Welsh language: 0800 731 0453
Textphone: 0800 731 0464
Welsh language textphone: 0800 731 0456
(if you cannot hear or speak on the phone): 18001 then 0800 151 2012
British Sign Language (BSL) if you바카라 사이트檙e on a computer - find out how to
Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm
Find out about call charges

An adviser will also help you claim any other bereavement benefits you might be entitled to.

You can also claim by post. Download and fill in the claim form (SF200), then send it to the address on the form.

Appeal a Funeral Expenses Payment decision

You can appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal if you disagree with a decision about Funeral Expenses Payment.