Overview of Funeral Support Payment
Funeral Support Payment has replaced the UK Government’s Funeral Expense Payment for residents in Scotland.
The payment will:
- help more people, as the eligibility is wider
- increase with inflation each year
- have a simpler application process
The payment will be a one-off payment, which will help to cover some of the costs of a funeral.
Definition of a funeral for Funeral Support Payment
A funeral is the burial, cremation or alkaline hydrolysis of the person who died. It does not include:
- a memorial service or remembrance event if it’s separate from the burial, cremation or alkaline hydrolysis
- burying someone’s ashes after they’ve been cremated
- burial of powder after alkaline hydrolysis
This list is not exhaustive. There may be other situations that an applicant would consider part of the funeral, but which do not come under this definition.
The payment will be made up of:
- burial/cremation/alkaline hydrolysis costs
- travel/transport costs
- documentation costs
- flat rate payment – to help with other funeral costs such as funeral director fees, a coffin or flowers
The payment will not cover all of the costs of a funeral.
The payment can be made to either the client or the funeral director directly. The client must give us consent to discuss the application with and pay the funeral director.
How clients can apply
There are three different ways that a client can apply for Funeral Support Payment:
- online
- by phone
- by paper form
Phone applications
The client can apply by calling Social Security Scotland directly on Freephone 0800 182 2222.
When dealing with a phone application the client should know:
- how long it will take
- the details they will need to provide us with
- all of the eligibility conditions for the benefit to make sure they are eligible before they begin the application process
If they do not have all the information, give them the opportunity to call back when they are prepared to make the application.
Paper application
The paper application can be downloaded on the mygov.scot site or clients can call Freephone 0800 182 2222 to request one.
The client can also call us to request the form in different formats and languages.
Online applications
Clients can apply online via the mygov.scot website.
Clients will need to complete the form all in one go as there is no save and resume function on the form.
Checking an application is complete
When we receive an application from a client, it will be assigned to a client adviser to process.
You should check that all mandatory parts of the application have been completed and, if it is a paper application, ensure that it has been signed. If any of these details are missing we need to contact the client or return the form to them to fill in the missing details.
Once this has been done, the application eligibility will be checked.