What is it?
A payment from the Scottish Social Security Agency (SSSA) to help towards the costs of paying for a funeral for which you are responsible
Am I eligible?
To be eligible for a Funeral Support Payment you must live in Scotland and be responsible for the funeral.
Being responsible for the funeral means that you are named on the funeral bill and are the nearest relative to the person who has died.
The nearest relative is usually a partner, child, parent or sibling.
You must also be in receipt of one of the following qualifying benefits:
- Universal Credit (UC)
- Income Support
- Pension Credit
- Working Tax Credit (disability or severe disability element)
- Child Tax Credit
- Housing Benefit
- income-based Jobseeker's Allowance (JSA), not new style or contribution based JSA
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), not new style or contribution based ESA
Who pays it?
It is paid by the SSSA.
What you will get?
A Funeral support payment will not usually cover the full cost of a funeral but it can help pay towards the following:
- burial or cremation costs
- funeral costs
- your travel costs
- transport costs to move the person who died
- document costs
- medical costs
The amount you get will depend on how much money was left by the person who died.
How do I apply?
You can apply online by visiting the Scottish Government website.
If you are unable to make the claim online you can call the SSSA for free on 0800 182 2222 and make your application over the phone.