Funeral Support Payment
Funeral Support Payment was first introduced in late 2019 and seeks to assist an individual with some of the costs that are incurred with a funeral.
Funeral Support Payment is paid through Social Security Scotland and can be either paid directly to you, your partner or to the funeral director who is coordinating the funeral.
In this guide, we will help you to determine if you are eligible for Funeral Support Payment, how you can apply for the payment and when you can expect to receive the payment if your application is successful.
What Constitutes a Funeral?
Social Security Scotland state that a funeral is either a burial or cremation.
Individuals will not receive the payment if the funeral is not a burial or cremation of the person who died. For example, the payment does not apply to a remembrance service or event that takes place after the person has been buried or cremated.
The funeral can be of an adult, child or stillborn child. However, it is important to note that the payment will not meet the full costs of a funeral.
Who is Eligible for Funeral Support Payment?
To be eligible for Funeral Support Payment individuals must not be claiming any other government support for funerals and must meet the following criteria: -
- The person must have died within six months of applying for Funeral Support Payment
- The person who died must have lived in the United Kingdom
- Either you or your partner receive certain benefits or tax credits
- Either you or your partner are responsible for the sole expense of the funeral
- You live in Scotland
- The funeral is taking place in the United Kingdom
How Much is Funeral Support Payment?
The current rates of Funeral Support Payment for 2023-2024 are as follows:
- Higher rate of £1,178.75
- Lower rate of £143.85
What Benefits Must I Receive to be Eligible for Funeral Support Payment?
As Funeral Support Payment is a payment specifically for low-income individuals, either you or your partner must be receiving a welfare benefit from the following list:
- Income Support
- Universal Credit
- Pension Credits
- Housing Benefit
- Income Based Jobseekers Allowance
- Employment Support Allowance
If either you or your partner is waiting on a benefits application to be approved, then you will only receive Funeral Support Payment once the outcome of your benefit has been processed.
What Does the Payment Cover?
While Funeral Support Payment will not cover the full cost of a funeral, the money can contribute to significant elements that are involved in arranging a funeral. These include:
- documentation costs
- travel costs
- burial or cremation costs
- medical costs
The amount of Funeral Support Payment that you or your partner will receive will depend on several different variables such as the location and council area that your relative lives in as well as the amount of money that the person who passed away has left.
How do I Apply for a Funeral Support Payment?
Once you have determined that you qualify for a funeral support payment you should register the death of the person who died and give your funeral director permission to speak with the Social Security Scotland about your application.
You can apply for a Funeral Support Payment over the phone, by post and online. Before applying, however, you should ensure that you have the following details to hand: -
- Details of your Funeral Director
- Your National Insurance Number
- A collection of funeral bills or travel receipts
- Your Bank Account Details if Social Security Scotland is paying you directly rather than your funeral director
You will also need to supply details of the person who has died. This can be in the form of: -
- Bank statements from the person who has died
- Details of any money which the person has left behind, including savings, pensions, or cash
Applying Online
If you choose to apply online the application should take you an estimated 25-30 minutes to complete. However, you should be aware that you cannot apply online if any of the following factors apply to you:
- You do not have a Bank Account
- You do not have a permanent address
- Are applying for someone who cannot manage their affairs
Applying by Phone
If you wish to apply for Funeral Support Payment by phone you should call Social Security Scotland on: 0800 182 2222. During your call, an advisor will assist you in completing the application form. The call centre is open Monday to Friday from 8 am to 6 pm.
Applying by Post
Alternatively, you may wish to apply for the payment via post. This can be done by filling in an application form and posting it to Social Security Scotland.
You will have to choose from two different application forms as there is one specifically for a child or young person under the age of 17 and one for an adult over the age of 18.
When will I Know the Outcome of my Application?
If you have completed your application and included all the relevant supporting documentation Social Security Scotland endeavour to get back to you within 10 working days of receiving your application.
You will hear from Social Security Scotland regardless of the outcome of your application. If you have been successful, you will be sent a letter to tell you that you will receive Funeral Support Payment as well as the amount of money you will receive.
If your application has been unsuccessful Social Security Scotland will send you a letter to let you know the reason for this. In some circumstances, you may be required to send additional documentation to support your application.
If my application has been Successful, when will I receive the Payment?
If your application for Funeral Support Payment has been approved, you can expect to receive the payment within 4-5 days from the date cited on your award letter.
Funeral Support Payment will be paid either into your bank account or to your funeral director depending on which preference you stated in your application.
To find out more about the Funeral Support Payment go to mygov.scot website or visit the Citizen's Advice website.
