The maximum amount a family can claim for help with coffin expenses increased by 43 per cent yesterday.
As of April 8, families in need of financial support to help pay funeral expenses, such as coffins and funeral director fees, will receive £300 more.
Funeral Expenses Payments, offered to eligible UK benefit claimants, will rise to £1,000; the first increase since 2003.
The Department for Work and Pensions Bereavement Support team deal with around 800 claims per week and the additional support will be a welcome relief to many; especially at a time when more previously well people are dying from Covid-19.
The increase will run alongside other allowances that help support burial or cremation costs.
Adults must be currently claiming or in the process of applying for the following benefits to be eligible for the financial support:
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
- Universal Credit
Those receiving support for a mortgage interest loan may also become eligible for the financial support.
