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 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 states that a funeral is either a burial or a 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 a 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 receives certain benefits
- Either you or your partner is responsible for the funeral and it is reasonable for you or your partner to accept responsibility for the funeral costs
- You live in Scotland
- The funeral is taking place in the United Kingdom, or in some circumstances in the EU, Iceland, Liechtenstein, Norway, or Switzerland.
How much is Funeral Support Payment?
You can apply for the Funeral Support Payment to cover burial and cremation costs, which will vary across different areas of Scotland. Click here to see Social Security Scotland’s published list of reasonable costs per area.
There is a flat rate for all other expenses of £1279.15, unless the person who died had made a funeral plan to cover some costs, in which case the rate is £156.10. You may also be able to claim some travel, document, and medical costs.
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 Jobseeker's Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
If either you or your partner are 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.
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 Social Security Scotland about your application.
You can apply for a Funeral Support Payment over the phone, by post, or 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
- You 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 a.m. to 6 p.m.
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 endeavours 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 telling 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.
