FUNERAL SUPPORT PAYMENT BACKED BY JENNY GILRUTH MSP
Published date : 02 Oct 2019
Mid Fife and Glenrothes MSP, Jenny Gilruth, has backed The Scottish Government’s announcement of a new Funeral Support Payment.
The one-off payment aims to provide people on a low income with a contribution towards the cost of a funeral. It replaces the Department for Work and Pensions’ Funeral Expenses Payment in Scotland.
It is estimated that the introduction of the benefit will widen eligibility for funeral cost assistance by around 40% and help reach an estimated 5,000 people per year.
The Scottish Government has also committed to faster processing times for applications and for an annual review and uprate of the flat rate element of the benefit to take into account inflation.
Commenting after the Scottish Government’s announcement, Jenny Gilruth MSP said:
“I am delighted to hear about the Scottish Government’s plans for the new Funeral Support Payment today.
“The introduction of this vital payment is going to help thousands of low-income grieving families each year to cover the cost of a funeral for their loved ones.
“The Scottish Government is continuing to take on responsibility for more and more aspects of the social security system and I am pleased that the transition has been seen as an opportunity to improve the support that people receive.”
Cabinet Secretary for Social Security and Older People, Shirley-Anne Somerville MSP said:
“I am pleased that from Monday 16 September 2019, we will be receiving applications for our latest benefit: Funeral Support Payment.
“We have introduced some improvements to the previous payment [Funeral Expenses Payment] including a more flexible and sensitive approach to determining the ‘nearest relative’ who is responsible for the costs of the funeral.
“We expect this will widen eligibility by around 40% and help reach an estimated 5,000 people each year.”
Applications for the Funeral Support Payment can be made online at www.mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment, through Social Security Scotland’s Freephone helpline on 0800 182 2222 or via a traditional paper application form.
ENDS
Local Reporters
