Guide · Benefits · Scotland
Funeral Support Payment Scotland Guide 2026/27 -- Help with Funeral Costs
Funeral Support Payment is Social Security Scotland's grant to help people on a low income cover the cost of arranging a funeral. It replaced the DWP's Funeral Expenses Payment for people arranging a funeral in Scotland, and takes a somewhat broader approach to who can apply.
Key facts
- Administered by: Social Security Scotland
- Covers: Burial or cremation fees in full, plus a flat-rate contribution to other costs
- Who can apply: Whoever reasonably takes responsibility for the funeral, not only a partner or close relative
- Affected by: The deceased's savings, insurance or a pre-paid funeral plan
- Time limit: Apply as soon as possible after the death
- Challenge route: Redetermination, then First-tier Tribunal for Scotland
What Funeral Support Payment covers
The payment is generally made up of two elements: the necessary costs of the burial or cremation itself -- such as burial lair fees, cremation fees, or a funeral director's basic set fee -- paid in full, and a flat-rate contribution towards other costs associated with the funeral, such as flowers, a coffin, transport, or a minister or celebrant's fee. The flat-rate element is not designed to cover every additional cost in full, so families often need to budget for a shortfall on more elaborate arrangements.
Who can apply
You can apply if you are responsible for arranging the funeral and it is reasonable for you to take on that responsibility -- this is not limited to a partner or the closest living relative, and can include a more distant family member or friend where no closer relative is able or willing to arrange the funeral. You must also (or your partner must) be receiving a qualifying low-income benefit at the relevant time, such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with a disability element, or Housing Benefit.
How savings, insurance and funeral plans affect the award
If the person who died left savings, held a life insurance policy, or had a pre-paid funeral plan that could reasonably be used towards the funeral costs, this is taken into account and can reduce your award. The payment is intended to cover a genuine gap between the funeral costs and money already available from the estate, not to duplicate funds that are already there.
How it compares with the Funeral Expenses Payment
The Funeral Expenses Payment, used elsewhere in the UK, applies its own eligibility rules around who is treated as responsible for a funeral and calculates the contribution to non-fixed costs using its own formula. Funeral Support Payment, set by the Scottish Government and delivered by Social Security Scotland, is broader in some respects on who can claim and uses its own flat-rate contribution figure -- check the current amount on mygov.scot rather than assuming it matches the rest-of-UK payment.
Applying in time
There is a time limit for claiming, generally measured from the date of the funeral, so it is important to apply as soon as possible after the death rather than waiting until after the funeral has taken place. Applying promptly can also help if you need funds before the funeral director's invoice becomes due.
How to apply and challenge a decision
Apply to Social Security Scotland online, by phone, by post or in person, with details of the funeral costs, your relationship to the person who died, and your qualifying benefit. If your claim is refused or you disagree with the amount awarded, you can request a redetermination, and appeal to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland, Social Security Chamber, if the disagreement remains unresolved.