Government death grants.

[d0gsb0dy]

We recently lost our wonderful 18 year-old grandson to meningitis. He was a full-time student at university and our daughter and her husband would like to know if there is any form of government assistance available in such circumstances. We have helped them as much as we are able, but the unexpected death has placed a tremendous financial burden on them for which they had not provided. They are far too distressed to investigate this possibility themselves at the moment, so I thought I would ask here.
All advice welcome, and thanks in advance.

[redcrx]

what a terrible loss for a family. I cant imagine what you are all going through.

is your daughter or the family on any working tax credits or benefits, they may be able to claim for some help if they are.

If not then i can only suggest that they see if there are any relief charities in the area who may be able financially towards perhaps the flowers or something.

[bednobs]

HELP WITH THE COST OF THE FUNERAL
If you are having trouble paying for a funeral that you have to
arrange, you may be able to get a Social Fund Funeral
Payment to help you with the cost.
WHO CAN GET HELP
To qualify, you or your partner (we use partner to mean a
person you are married to or a person you are living with as
if you are married to them, or a civil partner or a person you
live with as if you are civil partners) must be receiving one of
these benefits or tax credits:
u Income Support
u income-based Jobseeker�s Allowance
u Pension Credit
u Working Tax Credit where a disabled worker is included
in the assessment
u Child Tax Credit at a rate higher than the family element
u Housing Benefit
u Council Tax Benefit
and it must be reasonable for you to have taken responsibility
for the funeral expenses.
This will usually mean you were the partner of the deceased.

[bednobs]

Or, if they had no partner, you were a close relative or close
friend of the deceased. We would ask you about the
circumstances of any parent, son or daughter of the deceased.
We may also have to ask about the circumstances of the
deceased�s close relatives.
The deceased must have been ordinarily resident in the
United Kingdom at the date of death, and the funeral must
normally take place in the UK. However, in certain
circumstances, a Funeral Payment may be made for a
funeral which takes place elsewhere in the European Union
(EU). The amount awarded will be restricted to the amount
which could have been paid if the funeral had taken place
in the area where the deceased had lived in the UK.
32 Paying for the funeral
WHAT YOU CAN GET HELP WITH
A Funeral Payment will cover the costs of a simple, respectful,
low cost funeral, normally within the UK. We will pay the
charges of the burial authority or crematorium, certain
necessary travel expenses and up to �700 for other funeral
expenses. (You may not be entitled to a payment if expenses
have been met by a pre-paid funeral plan.)
A Funeral Payment may be reduced in certain circumstances.
In particular, the following will be deducted from an award:
u any assets of the deceased available to you or your partner
u any lump sum due on the death of the deceased for funeral
costs
u any contribution for the funeral from a charity or relative (of
both yourself and the deceased)
u any funeral grant where the deceased was a war pensioner.

[bednobs]

GETTING A PAYMENT
If you get a Funeral Payment, it will have to be paid back
from any estate of the deceased. The estate means any
money, property and other things like insurance policies that
the deceased owned. A house or personal possessions that are
left to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner are not
counted as part of the estate.
WHEN AND HOW TO CLAIM
You can claim a Funeral Payment from the date of death and
up to 3 months after the date of the funeral. Funeral
Payments are usually made by cheque in the funeral
director�s name. We send you the cheque to give to them.
To claim contact your local office (see page 47) for

[bednobs]

http://www.dwp.gov.uk/publications/dwp/2006/d4 9_april06.pdf
sorry, it was longer than i thought -its all in here

[d0gsb0dy]

Many, many thanks for your supportive replies. I will pass this information on to my daughter and her husband. This really has been a dreadful time for us all. Meningitis is truly a fearsome disease. Our grandson was dead within thirty-six hours of showing the first symptoms. His parents gave permission for his organs to be donated and this saved the lives of four people, which is what he would have wanted.
How we will ever come to terms with the loss, I don't know. He was a really wonderful young man.
Once again, our thanks for your welcome replies, and God bless you all.

[gina32]

im sorry to hear of your dreadful loss, but he gave life after death and that is something you can always hold onto in your times of despair god bless

[Ice.Maiden]

I echo what Gina's just said. What a terrible loss for your family, but how wonderful that he was able to help others. My sincere condolences to you.

[Yorky Lass]

Bereavement Benefit is only paid to spouses I'm afraid. You will need a SF200 for a funeral payment, it will not be for the whole amount of the funeral but will go a long way towards it. Your daughter would be able to apply up to three months after the date of the funeral. If by any chance you have paid the funeral bill on their behalf then this was of course a loan which has got to be paid back and therefore got your daughter into debt.
The first hurdle is being on what is called a qualifying benefit, bednobs has clearly listed them for you, just to be able to apply.
Deepest sympathy to all your family.

[tagmoide]

my thoughts and prays go out to your family,
god bless. Kev