Have you lost a loved one recently? Then you must be facing some financial implications to arrange his/her funeral. So, you should have a clear understanding of how the DWP can assist you in such a situation with funeral grants.
But, how much is a funeral grant from DWP? Don’t worry, we are here to guide you through all the relevant queries, including how to apply for a funeral grant.
A funeral grant in the UK is not a fixed amount; it varies. Depending upon several circumstances, the applicant receives a certain amount. To learn more, stay tuned!
What is a Funeral Grant?
You might know that funeral costs have been going upwards in the UK in the last few years. A funeral grant is also referred to as a funeral expense payment.
It is a government benefit provided by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and designed to help low-income individuals. Funeral benefit is an initiative taken by the UK government to reduce the financial burden during difficult times.
However, the financial benefit will not be the total cost of the funeral, but it can be helpful with certain expenses for low-income people.
It is available to residents of England, Wales, and Northern Ireland, excluding Scotland. Scotland has its own unique Funeral Support Payment.
Who is Eligible for a Funeral Grant?
Funeral grants are not for everyone, as these financial benefits have certain eligibility criteria. You or your spouse must be receiving one of the following qualifying benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- Housing Benefit
- Pension Credit
- Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Child Tax Credit
- Working Tax Credit
- Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Support for Mortgage Interest loan Payment
When your partner died, you must be:
- Under State Pension age
- Living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits
- Married to your partner
- Parent of the stillborn child (after 24 weeks of pregnancy)
- Parent of a child under 16
- You should have taken responsibility for paying all the funeral bills
- The funeral needs to be planned and carried out in the UK
- You must apply for the claims within 6 months of the funeral
Some important facts to remember:
- If any close relative of the deceased is not on benefits, then you will not be eligible for a funeral grant
- You will not be eligible if the deceased had left certain money behind to cover the funeral costs
How to apply for a Funeral Grant in the UK?
When you are eligible to receive a funeral grant, you will need to consider the application process and the processing time to receive the payments. Here is a step-by-step guide that breaks down all the key points:
Step 1: Apply after the funeral
Once you have confirmed all the written funeral bills in your hand, apply for a funeral grant from DWP. You should apply within six months of the date of the funeral.
Step 2: Apply Online or by Post
There are two ways to apply for a funeral grant: online or by post. Either apply through the official government website or by post using form SF200. You can request or download this from the website.
Step 3: Provide all the Relevant Information
You have to provide them:
- Your National Insurance number
- Information of the deceased (date of death, address, and more)
- Information regarding any money left by the deceased, such as savings, insurance, and funeral plans
- Details about the benefits you receive
- The funeral director’s invoice
Step 4: Wait for a Decision
Then, the DWP department will review your application. If they find you are eligible, the payment will be directly sent to the funeral director, including any remaining amount paid to you. Though the processing time varies individually, you can expect it within a few weeks.
Step 5: If yourclaim is refused
If your claim gets refused, you can ask them to review your application if you believe you are completely eligible. Otherwise, you can also check what the reason is behind your rejection. Then you can reapply and correct the identified issues.
Processing Time and Grant Amount
The processing time for each funeral grant from DWP can vary. Generally, the DWP will aim to process your funeral claim in about 2 to 4 weeks once your correct and aligned application is submitted.
The DWP aims to provide you with the funeral grant in 13 working days. However, if there are any documents missing or found to be incorrect, the processing time may be lengthened.
There is no fixed grant claim for everyone. They will issue the claim based on your circumstances and the level of help you require. Generally, the DWP aims to cover the following costs, including:
- Cremation fees
- Doctor’s cremation certificate
- Travel costs to take the deceased to the funeral spot
- Death certificates and other relevant paperwork
- The DWP also provides up to 1,000 pounds to cover other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers, coffins, and more.
One thing to keep in mind is that if the deceased had a funeral plan, you can only get 120 pounds to cover the costs not covered by the plan.
Otherwise, you can get up to 3,500 pounds in a one-off payment, or 350 pounds per month for 18 months.
How will the Funeral Grant be Issued?
If the funeral cost is unpaid or partially paid, the DWP will issue the funeral grant directly to the funeral director. Further, if you have already paid all the funeral bills, the DWP will directly issue the money into your bank account.
Conclusion
Navigating the funeral costs can be a daunting task for some people in the UK. With the DWP’s funeral grant, eligible individuals can take a breath and somehow find some relief during these difficult times.
While the funeral claim will not cover the total cost of the funeral, it will significantly reduce some burden by helping with some essential services.
Understanding what the payment actually is, who is eligible to get the payment, and how it works helps the families to see the actual scenario with clear eyes. Remember that DWP will make decisions depending on individuals’ circumstances.
You can make open discussion with the funeral directors so that you can engage in remembering your loved one with dignity and care during these difficult phases.
