Glossary · UK
What is Funeral Expenses Payment?
A UK government payment that helps people on certain qualifying benefits with the cost of arranging a funeral for which they are responsible.
Full Definition
A Funeral Expenses Payment (also known as a Funeral Payment) is a means-tested government payment that helps with funeral costs for people receiving certain qualifying benefits, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit or income-related Employment and Support Allowance. To claim, you must be responsible for the funeral and have an appropriate relationship to the deceased, and there must be no close relative better placed to pay. The payment can cover specified necessary costs - typically burial or cremation fees and certain associated charges - plus a contribution toward other expenses such as the funeral director's fees, a coffin or transport. It does not usually meet the full cost of a funeral, so a shortfall may remain. Any money available from the deceased's estate, or from insurance or pre-paid funeral plans, is normally deducted from the award and may have to be repaid. Claims are time-limited, generally within several months of the funeral; check current rules and amounts on gov.uk.