Information for Social Fund Claimants

From 7th April 1997, the eligibility criteria for claims from the Social Fund for funeral expenses have changed; this will be the fourth set of changed regulations in the last 3 years.

The main focus of the changes on this occasion involve eligibility and clients who may have been eligible under the current rules may find they are not eligible under the new rules, e.g.:

"If, as a client, you are eligible to make a claim for assistance in respect of the funeral expenses of your parent because you are in receipt of a qualifying benefit, your claim will be disallowed if you have a brother or sister who is not in receipt of a benefit, even if that brother or sister lives at a distance away from you or your parent and has not had regular contact."

Another significant change involves the maximum grant allowable from the Social Fund.

From the 7th April 1997, this will be a maximum of £600, which is expected, by the DSS, to cover all expenses associated with a funeral, including a fee for the clergy. The cost of basic disbursements, including cremation fees and associated medical fees, and basic burial fees will still be met by the DSS.

Dependent upon the type of funeral requested by you as a client, the total cost of the funeral may well exceed the maximum grant of £600 and in our experience this sum is insufficient to cover the cost of a simple traditional funeral.

A full detailed estimate will be given to you when the arrangements for the funeral are made and we would urge you to be mindful of the fact that only limited assistance will be available to you from the DSS, even if you do qualify for help under their new rules - if you fail to qualify, then the whole of the cost of the funeral will become your responsibility.