Funeral Grant refused

Batty_3

My freinds Mother died and because the family is on JSA (husband) and DLA (daughter) they applied for a Funeral Grant

She's managed to get the price down to £650 and told them she would pay, when she got the grant.

The grant has been refused (no reasons given) and now she's panicking as her Mum left no money and had no insurance

Does anyone know if you can appeal against grants/loans being refused? My friend doesn't need the stress of letters demanding money.

Conor_3

TBH if she doesn't get the grant, she should find that the funeral director will have some payment plan available.

Mojisola

Ask for a reason why it has been refused. Mistakes do get made.

silkysmooth69

apply again or ask why they refused

stazi

You'll need to check if you are entitled to a SF FP,the conditions are here-
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018660

Batty_3

stazi wrote: »

You'll need to check if you are entitled to a SF FP,the conditions are here-
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/MoneyTaxAndBenefits/BenefitsTaxCreditsAndOtherSupport/Bereaved/DG_10018660

According to that link she qualifies. Hubby on JSA and getting DLA for their daughter.

I will send her to this link and let her have a read. I think she should appeal...

Thanks for your help in this

Batty x

Jummy

My mum was recently awarded £1048 funeral grant towards my dads funeral costs.
She is in receipt of pension credit and it was sorted in about 8 weeks.
Are there any other brothers/sisters of your friend that work hence the reason for no help towards the cost of the funeral?

Batty_3

Jummy wrote: »

My mum was recently awarded £1048 funeral grant towards my dads funeral costs.
She is in receipt of pension credit and it was sorted in about 8 weeks.
Are there any other brothers/sisters of your friend that work hence the reason for no help towards the cost of the funeral?

I asked and YES there is (they don't work though) but they haven't spoken to her in years, only turned up for the Funeral and when they found there was no money left to them accused my mate of spending it all. They won't help to pay for the funeral and have said so.

My friend was the only sibling who took her mum in when she was dying and so it fell to her to organise the funeral. Her brothers wont contribute in any way

She's appealed, but it's not looking good, but as I said they can't get money out of you that you haven't got!

suelees1

Jummy wrote: »

Are there any other brothers/sisters of your friend that work hence the reason for no help towards the cost of the funeral?

If there's another member of the family who is working/not in receipt of benefits the DWP will look at them accepting responsibility for the funeral.

www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/sb16/funeral.asp

Benefits_Blagger

suelees1 wrote: »

If there's another member of the family who is working/not in receipt of benefits the DWP will look at them accepting responsibility for the funeral.

www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/sb16/funeral.asp

IIRC this doesnt apply if the relatives are estranged, had this problem with my father, my mum was piad the money in the end.

Batty_3

UPDATE:

They gave her a THIRD of the bill (as she has two siblings) towards the funeral, so that she only owed 2 thirds but they then said that was a mistake and she had to pay the grant back!

BUT GOOD NEWS

Her hubby got a tax rebate and so she was able to pay it off with that. (The 2 siblings still refuse to cough up)

He's now back in work and so everything is looking up for them for a change, thanks ever so much for your replies!