help please funeral costs (not sure if this is right place for this)

madmanjag

Was wondering if someone could give me some advice on this.
I have a friend who's husband has recently passed away, they were separated and both were pensioners but she was still looking after him as an unofficial carer ie she wasn't claiming carers allowance. After the funeral she contacted the dwp regarding help with the funeral costs as she was still his wife and dealt with the funeral arrangements as well as costs. The dwp have told her that although they were still married she isn't entitled to help as they regard them as being divorced ( thought only a court could do this) and she didn't claim carers allowance.
Anyone help please

[Deleted User]

is she a pensioner?if so she couldnt claim carers,and the dwp only treat you as man and wife or living together as such,she needs advice from someone like the CAB on burial funds(did he leave any estate at all?)

madmanjag

She is and he had no estate but she has been told that she has to pay rent and council tax arrears.

RAS

Where does she live? Own separate accomodation? Paying rent and CT there?

pmlindyloo

If your friend was not living with her husband then she will not be entitled to a Funeral Grant as DWP states that you need to be living together.

See here:

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf200_print.pdf

However, interestingly I think she may be entitled to Bereavement payments as I can find nothing which says that the pair need to be living together, only legally married to be eligible.

I will find the link and post it.

pmlindyloo

Bereavement payments

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_bereavement_ew/benefits_and_bereavement.htm

Please note that if your friend has remarried or is living with someone as their partner then they will not be entitled.

madmanjag

RAS wrote: »

Where does she live? Own separate accomodation? Paying rent and CT there?

Glasgow and yes paying rent and tax there but both discounted

Torry_Quine

madmanjag wrote: »

She is and he had no estate but she has been told that she has to pay rent and council tax arrears.

She is not personally liable for rent or council tax arrears. If there is no estate then the debt dies with him.

madmanjag

pmlindyloo wrote: »

Bereavement payments

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_bereavement_ew/benefits_and_bereavement.htm

Please note that if your friend has remarried or is living with someone as their partner then they will not be entitled.

Does anyone know if there is anything in scotland

pmlindyloo

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/scotland/benefits_s/benefits_bereavement_s/benefits_and_bereavement.htm