Fuze Foundation guidance

The Funeral Support Payment is available to people living in Scotland who need help with funeral costs. It is a grant, paid by Social Security Scotland, and does not need to be repaid (unless money later becomes available from the estate).

You can apply whether or not you use a funeral director. However, in most cases the payment will not cover the full cost of a funeral, even a simple one, so there is often a shortfall. Understanding this early can help you plan and avoid additional stress.

Who Can Apply

You may be able to apply if all of the following apply:

• The person who died was living in the UK at the time of death
• The funeral takes place in the UK
  • In some cases, funerals in the EEA or Switzerland may be covered
  • In exceptional circumstances, funerals elsewhere in the world may be considered
• You (or your partner) are responsible for the funeral arrangements
• It is considered reasonable for you to take responsibility
• You apply within 6 months of the funeral date

Benefits You Must Be Receiving

You or your partner must be receiving, or waiting for a decision on, one of the following:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit

If your finances were linked to the person who died, your benefit situation may have changed. Even if you were not eligible before, you may be eligible now. A benefits calculator can help you check.

Is It “Reasonable” for You to Take Responsibility?

Social Security Scotland will assess whether it is reasonable for you to be responsible for the funeral. They consider:

• Whether you are the nearest relative (using the legal order as a guide)
• Your relationship with the person who died
• Any other relevant circumstances you explain

Each application is considered individually.

Examples where responsibility may be considered reasonable include if you:

• Provided care or were a recognised carer
• Lived with the person who died
• Had a close relationship
• Looked after them from childhood (kinship care)
• Held Power of Attorney or were their appointee or guardian
• Are a parent, sibling, relative, or close friend
• Are responsible due to cultural or religious reasons
• Took responsibility because no one else could (for example due to estrangement, illness, capacity issues, or other serious reasons)

This is not a complete list, and you are encouraged to explain your situation fully in your application.

Financial Responsibility

You must have taken responsibility for at least part of the funeral bill.

• You do not need to be named on the invoice, but you must explain why if you are not
• In some cases, Social Security Scotland can pay part of the bill
  • For example, if two people are sharing costs and only one receives qualifying benefits, they may contribute to that person’s share

What the Funeral Support Payment Covers

The payment may help with:

• Reasonable burial, cremation, or alkaline hydrolysis fees
• Up to £1,279.15 for other funeral expenses
  • This may include funeral director fees or DIY costs such as a coffin
• Death certificates needed to release funds from the estate
• One return journey to arrange or attend the funeral
  • This cannot cost more than travel from your home to the funeral location
• In some cases, transport costs if the person who died needs to be moved more than 49.7 miles (80 km)
• Other reasonable costs, such as:
  • Grave liners
  • Transfer of lair title
  • Costs related to burial outside the deceased’s local authority area (if the funeral is in the UK)

All additional costs are assessed case by case.

What Counts as “Reasonable” Burial or Cremation Costs?

The Scottish Government publishes average funeral costs to guide decisions. These are not fixed limits, but a reference point.

Social Security Scotland will look at the actual costs incurred and consider whether they are reasonable, for example:

• Higher costs due to location, cemetery choice, or weekend services
• Funerals held outside the deceased’s local authority area
• Funerals held outside Scotland (you should call for guidance in advance)

If the funeral takes place outside the UK, costs may be capped at what would have applied in the deceased’s local authority area.

For funerals outside Scotland, contact Social Security Scotland on 0800 182 2222 before applying.

Money in the Estate and Deductions

The payment may be reduced by money in the deceased’s estate (unless the deceased was under 18). The estate can include:

• Bank accounts or savings
• Insurance policies
• Burial club or pension lump sums
• Funeral plans that were not fully paid or covered the same costs

It does not include:

• Benefit arrears paid on or after the date of death

Money borrowed, or contributions from charities, friends, family, or crowdfunding do not reduce the award.

If money becomes available from the estate after the payment is made, you must repay that amount to Social Security Scotland, up to the value of the payment.

If There Is a Pre-Paid Funeral Plan

If the person who died had a fully paid pre-paid funeral plan, Social Security Scotland may still contribute up to £156.10 towards other funeral expenses not covered by the plan.

How to Apply

You can apply in any of the following ways:

• Online:
  https://applications.socialsecurity.gov.scot/funeral-supportpayment#eligibility
• By phone:
  0800 182 2222
• British Sign Language (BSL):
  Via the Contact Scotland BSL Video Relay Service app
• Paper form:
  Download from https://www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/how-to-apply/