Financial support for bereaved families
Raising awareness to mark Sands Awareness Month
The death of a baby is one of the hardest things anyone can go through, and having to deal with money worries on top of this can only make it even more difficult.
The Stillbirth and Neonatal Death Society (SANDS) charity is using the month of June to increase awareness of the impact suffered by families who lose a baby before, during or soon after birth.
At Social Security Scotland we want to highlight the benefits available to bereaved families which may help ease financial strain at a difficult time.
Parents who are getting Universal Credit, tax credits or other qualifying benefits, and have a baby who was stillborn, or died after birth, can apply for Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment. Parents who are under 18 and some parents aged 18 or 19 can apply without the need to receive any benefits.
The payment can help parents with costs they may have, and they can apply from the end of the 24th week of pregnancy to six months after the baby was born. Parents of a baby who is born prematurely and who dies before the end of week 24 can also apply from the date the baby is born until six months after the baby was born.
Bereaved parents may also be eligible for Funeral Support Payment, which helps pay towards the funeral costs for a baby, child or adult. This includes babies who were stillborn.
It can be paid either to parents and families or the funeral director who is helping to plan the funeral. In Scotland, local authorities cover the burial and cremations costs for a baby, child or young person aged 17 or under. Funeral Support Payment can help pay towards any additional costs.
People can choose to apply by telephone, post or online. If parents would rather talk through their application with someone, they can speak to one of our specially trained Client Advisers by calling Social Security Scotland free on: 0800 182 2222.
We were recently recognised at the Demystifying Death Awards 2023. The event is run by Good Life, Good Death, Good Grief, a charity-led collaboration of people that want Scotland to be a place where we can be open about and plan for dying. Our specific award recognised a campaign or policy that that will improve experiences of living with illness, dying or bereavement in Scotland.
More information about Best Start Grant Pregnancy and Baby Payment and Funeral Support Payment, including information about how to apply, can be found via MyGov.Scot at:
- https://www.mygov.scot/best-start-grant-best-start-foods/how-to-apply
- https://www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment/how-to-apply
Support to help if you have lost a baby:
- Sands (Stillbirth and neonatal death charity) is a charity that supports anyone affected by the death of a baby before, during or shortly after birth. Helpline: 0808 164 3332 or helpline@sands.org.uk Website: www.sands.org.uk
- Child Bereavement UK offers support to families when a baby or child dies. Helpline: 0800 02 888 40 or helpline@childbereavementuk.org Website: childbereavementuk.org/for-families/support
- Miscarriage Support is a counselling service supporting people affected by miscarriage, neonatal death and stillbirth. Helpline: 0141 552 5070 or info@miscarriagesupport.org.uk Website: www.miscarriagesupport.org.uk
- The Scottish Cot Death Trust is a charity dedicated to the sudden unexpected death of babies and young children. Helpline: 0141 357 3946 or contact@scottishcotdeathtrust.orgWebsite: www.scottishcotdeathtrust.org
- The Compassionate Friends is a charity run by bereaved parents, siblings and grandparents. It offers support to family members after the death of a child including online, telephone and local support and resources. Helpline: 0345 123 2304 or helpline@tcf.org.uk Website: www.tcf.org.uk/content/support
- Cruse Bereavement Care Scotland offers support to families when a baby or child dies. Helpline: 0808 802 6161 Website: www.crusescotland.org.uk