A client may be eligible for Funeral Support Payment in cases of stillbirth or infant death.
A stillbirth occurs after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy. If the pregnancy loss happened before 24 completed weeks, then the client would not be eligible for Funeral Support Payment.
Infant death is when a baby dies before they reach six months of age.
The standard Funeral Support Payment eligibility rules apply where a baby is:
A miscarriage is a pregnancy loss before 24 completed weeks of pregnancy, where a baby is born showing no sign of life. A loss:
A parent who has had a miscarriage is not eligible for Funeral Support Payment.
A stillbirth is a pregnancy loss after 24 completed weeks of pregnancy, where a baby is born showing no sign of life.
A client applying for the funeral of a stillborn child will qualify for Funeral Support Payment if they meet the eligibility criteria and have incurred costs for the funeral. If the funeral was arranged and paid for by the hospital, then the client will not be eligible unless they can show that they still incurred costs for the funeral.
Neonatal death is when a baby dies within the first 28 days of life. Infant death is when a baby dies before they reach six months of age.
Sudden Unexpected Death in Infancy (SUDI), also known as 'cot death', is the sudden, unexpected and unexplained death of an apparently healthy baby. Most deaths happen during the first six months of a baby's life.
The funeral of a baby who is born alive and who then dies will qualify for Funeral Support Payment if the client meets the eligibility criteria. This includes babies who are born alive prematurely and then die before 24 completed weeks of pregnancy.
The application window for Funeral Support Payment is from the date of death or stillbirth until six months after the funeral has taken place. If the client has a backdated award for a qualifying benefit, they have an additional 20 working days to apply. See the eligibility guidance for more details.
The client may also be eligible for the Pregnancy and Baby payment of Best Start Grant, if they have experienced a stillbirth or infant death.
To ensure clients who have experienced a stillbirth are treated with additional sensitivity, tailored award and disallowance letters have been created.
Bereaved parents may be eligible for additional benefits. Direct them to their nearest Citizens Advice Bureau.
Website: www.cas.org.uk/bureaux
A charity that offers support to families when a baby or child dies.
Helpline: 0800 02 888 40
Website: childbereavementuk.org
A charity that offers support to families when a baby or child dies.
Helpline: 0845 600 2227
Email: support@crusescotland.org.uk
Website: www.crusescotland.org.uk
A counselling service supporting people affected by miscarriage, neonatal death and stillbirth.
Helpline: 0141 552 5070
Email: info@miscarriagesupport.org.uk
Website: www.miscarriagesupport.org.uk
A charity that supports anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth.
Helpline: 0808 164 3332
Email: helpline@sands.org.uk
Website: www.sands.org.uk
A Lothian-based charity (formerly known as Sands Lothian). It supports families following the death of a baby through specialised bereavement services. This includes befriending and counselling. They can refer families to other services in Scotland.
Helpline: 0131 622 6263
Email: info@heldinourhearts.org.uk
Website: https://heldinourhearts.org.uk/
A charity that offers support to family members after the death of a child including online, telephone and local support and resources.
Helpline: 0345 123 2304
Email: helpline@tcf.org.uk
Website: www.tcf.org.uk
A charity dedicated to the sudden unexpected death of babies and young children.
Helpline: 0141 357 3946
Email: contact@scottishcotdeathtrust.org
Website: www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org