16 Sep 2019
Launch of the Funeral Support Payment, to help bereaved families, in Scotland
The much-anticipated Funeral Support Payment became today, replacing the Funeral Expenses Payment for people living in Scotland.
Part of the new Social Security Scotland Benefits agency, established to oversee recently-devolved social security powers, the Scottish Government said the structure of the new payment will increase eligibility by 40% – equating to around 2,000 more applicants – and it has made an extra £2 million available to cover the anticipated extra demand.
The NAFD has been part of the working group helping prepare and design the new benefit. On launch day, NAFD Past President Paul Cuthell, who has represented the NAFD on the working group, told the media: “The NAFD is pleased to have supported the Scottish Government design the Funeral Support Payment. The streamlined application procedure will be of great benefit to bereaved people, and the fact that it is index-linked to inflation is a significant step in the right direction towards ensuring that people receive an appropriate level of support when they need it.”
However, the Association still believes that the £700 payment is not enough and will continue to lobby Governments in England and Wales for an increase. It has also made its position clear to both Governments that it believes the “basic” costs of a funeral include a coffin which, therefore, should be paid for without having to come out of the £700 payment.
The Scottish Government said that benefits of the new system include a more streamlined application process, a quicker acceptance or denial (this may include before a funeral has taken place, if the client allows the agency to contact the funeral director) and a new nearest relationship test based on the family structure included within the Burial and Cremation (Scotland) Act 2016.
For the first time, in a move that has raised eyebrows in the profession, applicants can now choose to have the benefit sent to them instead of the funeral director. This has been included to give greater choice to bereaved people. If the client wants the payment to be made to the funeral director directly they can tick a box on the application form, called simply the Funeral Support Payment Form.
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