Bereavement Payment

[minniemoo]

Does anyone know about the Bereavement Payment you can get when someone dies. My mum died last week and her partner (they were not married but together 9 years) is on benefits. Is he able to apply for a Bereavement payment to help towards the funeral costs? I have been told so many things and have even been on the Direct.Gov website but it says on there that you are only entitled to it if you are a spouse or civil partner of the deceased and people have said that a civil partner means a partner of the same sex which wasn't the case here. Can anyone help me please. Thanks.

[Mr Veritas]

I have just read the Bereavement Benefit page at DirectGov,and also dowloaded the Benefits Office Form.
I am sorry,but I am of the same opinion as yourself.That is,if your Mother and her Partner were not married(legally) then he is not eligible for the payment.
In fact on the Benefits Agency form it actually asks for proof of marriage,or civil partnership.
However,I do think it's worth asking your local Job Centre (or Citizens Advice Bureau) for help,ot may be there are other benfits that you Mother's partner can get in these circumstances?
I wish you (and him) wel.

[Everhelpful]

To get anything you have to be a real pauper!!

[dothawkes31]

I thought everyone was allowed a funeral grant from the state?

[hc4361]

That is not true at all. Some bereavements payments are national insurance contribution based and not means tested. £2000 regardless of the millions you have in the bank

[sara3]

he may be able to get help with the funeral costs through the Social Fund. see here..

http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Diol1/DoItOnline/DG_4017717

[Robinia]

He may be able to get help to pay for the funeral...see here

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/index/life/benefits/help_for_people_on_a_low_income_-_the_social_fund.htm#funeral_payments

[Robinia]

sorry sara, you weren't there befoe I posted...claim form here
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/advisers/claimforms/sf200_print.pdf