Check for a social fund interest for Funeral Support Payment

Before Funeral Support Payment can be awarded, you must make a mandatory check to find out if a Social Fund Interest is held.

In all cases where a Social Fund Interest is held, further action is needed to establish if, both:

• a claim for Funeral Expenses Payment or Funeral Payment was made
• the Department for Work and Pensions or the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland) made an award to the client

This is to prevent a duplicate payment/overpayment already claimed and paid by the Department for Work and Pensions or the Department for Communities.

The Social Fund interest will be displayed in Benefits Interest Details evidence on SPM. You should check for both the client and their partner.

To do this:

• Gather information and contact Department for Work and Pension, or Department for Communities (Northern Ireland)
• If there is no Social Fund Interest, this will not display as an interest

Social Fund interest confirmed as Funeral Expense Payment and Funeral Payment award made

We cannot accept an application where another government department has already provided funding for this funeral.

You should deny application and use the clerical duplicate award letter template.