Help is on the way for funerals

MSP Tom Arthur has welcome a new benefit that aims to provide improved financial support to help people on low incomes meet the costs of a funeral.

Funeral Support Payment, set to launch on September 16, will be delivered by Social Security Scotland and will replace the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) Funeral Expense Payment for people living in Scotland.

Mr Arthur says the changes mean around 40 per cent more people will be eligible for financial support when bereaved.

People will be able to apply over the phone, by post or online for the first time and, once Social Security Scotland is fully operational, face-to-face preapplication support will also be available.

The Renfrewshire South’s MSP said: “Coping with the death of a loved one is one of the most tragic events any of us can face.

“At that difficult time, it’s even harder when there’s extra stress finding the money to pay for a funeral.

“The new Funeral Support Payment, designed and tested with members of the public and stakeholders including funeral directors and welfare advisors, will help ease that stress by providing improved financial support to help cover funeral costs.

“I would like to encourage any of my constituents who find themselves struggling with bereavement costs to find out if they are eligible and apply to receive this financial support.”

The flat rate element of the Funeral Support Payment will be £700 for the majority of applications and the Scottish Government has committed to annually uprating this in line with inflation – something the UK Government have not done since 2003.

Visit www.mygov. scot/benefits for more information.