Assistance with funeral costs from the social fund

dellfo

My father has recently died. My dad was unemployed for a couple of years before he reached 65 when his only income was a state pension.
He died 56 years of age.
My Mum and I both work and receive no benefits. I'm pretty sure this means that we can not receive any assistance in the costs of a funeral payment from the social fund.

is this correct or is there any assistance we can get?

Thanks in advance

Richard1075

I am sorry to hear about your loss.

I assume that he died in his 65th year and not in his 56th year.

As you and your Mum both work, it would be expected that you would be responsible to pay the funeral costs.

You could talk to your chosen funeral director to see about making the costs as inexpensive as possible. There are some fees that are standard - such as the certificates for burial or cremation; but things like the coffin, you can choose a more modest one.

Another thing you could ask your funeral director is if he would be prepared to accept payment by instalments. Most of them do and this will help to lighten the load between the 2 of you to pay for things.

Was he a member of the armed forces during his life? I know the British Legion will sometimes help with expenses is the deceased had served for his country.

Is there maybe a life assurance policy that may have been forgotten about that may assist?

I do hope that you will be able to find a solution. I am sure others will come along with some more ideas.

Best Wishes

DX2

Advice from Richard is spot on!

Oldernotwiser

dellfo wrote: »

My father has recently died. My dad was unemployed for a couple of years before he reached 65 when his only income was a state pension.
He died 56 years of age.
My Mum and I both work and receive no benefits. I'm pretty sure this means that we can not receive any assistance in the costs of a funeral payment from the social fund.

is this correct or is there any assistance we can get?

Thanks in advance

Has your mother applied for the Bereavement Allowance and Bereavement Benefit?

dellfo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Has your mother applied for the Bereavement Allowance and Bereavement Benefit?

Yes he was 65.

dellfo

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Has your mother applied for the Bereavement Allowance and Bereavement Benefit?

we checked, because my dad was claiming a state pension and my mum is 63, she is not entitled to it.
i was advised by the benefits agency to 'take out a loan'.

i've only recently become debt free and don't want to go back to owing money.

my dad dies penniless. it seems that it pays to be unemployed.

j0annepsi

dellfo wrote: »

we checked, because my dad was claiming a state pension and my mum is 63, she is not entitled to it.
i was advised by the benefits agency to 'take out a loan'.

i've only recently become debt free and don't want to go back to owing money.

my dad dies penniless. it seems that it pays to be unemployed.

I'm sorry, I realise you're grieving but that is out of order. You and your mum both work, and the fact your dad left no savings or insurance policy behind is not the DWP's fault.

Advising you to take out a loan is good advice. You might not want to get into debt again but who does? Why should the social fund pay out when you and your mum should be able to pay for it yourself in installments or take out a loan? The social fund is there to help people who literally cannot afford to EAT etc.

bestpud

If you look at it another way - you now have the money spare that you were using to pay off your debt so it will just take a little longer for you to start saving money.

Ask if you can payin installments as that is probably better than a loan, unless they charge a high interest rate.

It shouldn't take too long for two working people to pay the costs between them tbh.

I presume you aren't looking at an elaborate funeral?

Oldernotwiser

dellfo wrote: »

we checked, because my dad was claiming a state pension and my mum is 63, she is not entitled to it.
i was advised by the benefits agency to 'take out a loan'.

i've only recently become debt free and don't want to go back to owing money.

my dad dies penniless. it seems that it pays to be unemployed.

Surely you and your mother would rather pay for your father's funeral than have it paid by the state? It is, after all, the last thing that you can do for him.

bestpud

Oldernotwiser wrote: »

Surely you and your mother would rather pay for your father's funeral than have it paid by the state? It is, after all, the last thing that you can do for him.

You'd think so, wouldn't you! :cool:

gizmo111

So what happens if someone refuses or cannot raise the cash to pay?