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Assisting with the Costs of Funerals Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment

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Assisting with the Costs of Funerals Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment Assisting with the costs of Funerals Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment What is available: A Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP can help to pay for some of the costs of the following: burial fees for a particular plot cremation fees, 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 You can also get up to £700 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin. Who can claim? Partner of the person who died A close relative or close friend of the person who died (and it is reasonable for that person to accept responsibility for the funeral costs, because they were in close regular contact with the person who has died) Qualifying Benefits: You must be in receipt of: Universal Credit Income Support Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance Income-related Employment and Support Allowance Pension Credit Housing Benefit The disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit Child Tax Credit Support for Mortgage Interest loan Applications can also be made if you or your partner are waiting to hear about a claim for one of these benefits or payments. The Claim must be made within six months of the funeral. Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment How to Apply: Claim by phone by calling the DWP Bereavement Service helpline. Bereavement Service helpline Telephone: 0800 731 0469 You can also claim by post. Download and fill in the claim form, from: www.gov.uk/government/publications/funeral-payment-claim- form Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Bereavement Support Payment What is available: The Bereavement Support Payment from the DWP replaces Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Payment. If eligible there is a first payment and then up to 18 monthly payments. There are 2 rates. Rate First payment Monthly payment Higher rate £3,500 £350 Lower rate £2,500 £100 If you get Child Benefit (or if you do not get it but are entitled to it), you’ll get the higher rate. If you do not get Child Benefit, you’ll get the lower rate unless you were pregnant when your husband, wife or civil partner died. Who can claim? Bereavement benefits are for people whose husband, wife or civil partner has died Qualifying Conditions: Eligibility exist if the deceased partner either: paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work When they died you must have been: under State Pension age living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits How to Apply: Claim from the date the person dies. Claims can be backdated up to 3 months (You can claim up to 21 months after but your payments will be less.) Claims over the telephone to the Bereavement Service Helpline 0345 606 0265 Download a Bereavement Support Payment pack (form BSP1) Finance Options Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) A DWP budgeting loan is available for assistance with Funeral costs. Eligibility Criteria: Receipt of the following Benefits for the past 6 months: Income Support income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance income-related Employment and Support Allowance Pension Credit What is available: The lowest amount you can borrow is £100. You could get up to: £348 if you’re single £464 if you have a partner £812 if you or your partner claim Child Benefit How much you could get depends on whether you: can pay the loan back have savings of more than £1,000 (£2,000 if you or your partner are 63 or over) are paying back an existing Budgeting Loan or Crisis Loan Repayment A Budgeting loan is interest free therefore you only pay back what you borrow. The repayment amount depends on the amount and frequency of the benefit you receive How to Apply: Check eligibility and apply online at: www.gov.uk/budgeting-help-benefits/eligibility Download or print the form: www.gov.uk/government/publications/budgeting-loan-claim- form Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) A Budgeting Advance is available to customers who are / have been in receipt of Universal Credit. The amounts are the same as the budgeting loan above and the customer can apply through speaking to their work coach. Glasgow Credit Unions Glasgow has 23 Credit unions with many offering services across the city. Most offer members loans at rates (up to 28.6apr) that are lower than most high street lenders For further info and locations etc. see: www.cucity.co.uk Charities and other Help Care Workers Charity – Grant available to those who have worked in the care profession www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/ British Gas Energy Trust - Both customers and non customers of British Gas can apply, and all applicants must have received money advice before applying. Applicants must have a net income below £13,260 per year, and need to demonstrate exceptional/multiple vulnerabilities within their household www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk The RAF Benevolent Fund - Provides support for former and serving members of the RAF, their partners and dependent children (under 18). To qualify for general support you must usually have less than £16,000 in savings www.rafbf.org for you by you – The charity for civil servants. Offer information and services relating to bereavement as well as potential financial assistance. They help civil servants, past and present, and their financial dependants. www.foryoubyyou.org.uk Quaker Social Action – This small, independent charity working in east London and beyond have their Down to Earth programme which provides support from the moment of bereavement through to reducing Funeral related Debt. Services for GCC Employees – Workplace options provides GCC employees with support and assistance. A Freephone number 0800 247 1100 is available 24/7 Child Bereavement Local Authorities in Scotland have agreed to remove their charges for burial and cremation for those aged under 18 Co-op Funeral care provide support to parents following a bereavement and as part of this commitment, the Funeral Service provided is free of charge up to the age of 18. The services provided include: o All Funeral Director services to cover all aspects of the funeral arrangement, including the completion of all documentation and liaison with all third parties and appropriate advice, support and guidance o Caring for your loved one. Bringing your loved one into our care, ensuring they are being looked after, providing the best possible care. Private rooms are available where you may wish to come and visit, supporting you in spending as much time as possible with your loved one o Embalming (if requested). o Choice of coffin. Fully lined and fitted with a soft interior o Suitable vehicle for you and your child, or hearse and limousine if more appropriate. Client choice of route for the funeral procession o Personnel to conduct the funeral o Use of the funeral home for service where available Charities that offer support Child Bereavement UK - Child Bereavement UK supports families when a baby or child of any age dies or is dying, or when a child is facing bereavement. www.childbereavementuk.org/ .
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