Funeral Expenses Payment

To claim the Funeral Expenses Payment, you must meet both a qualifying benefit test and a relationship test.

Qualifying benefits: You (or your partner) must be receiving at least one of the following at the time of the funeral or at the date of the claim:

• Universal Credit
• Income Support
• Income-based Jobseeker's Allowance
• Income-related Employment and Support Allowance
• Pension Credit
• Housing Benefit
• Working Tax Credit (with a disability or severe disability element)
• Child Tax Credit (at a rate above the family element)

Relationship test: You must be responsible for paying for the funeral and be in one of these relationships to the deceased:

• The partner of the deceased
• A close relative (parent, son, daughter, brother, sister, step-parent, step-child, step-sibling)
• A close friend — but only if there is no close relative or partner, or they cannot reasonably be expected to pay

If a close relative who is not on a qualifying benefit could reasonably be expected to pay for the funeral, the claim may be refused. This is a common reason for refusal and can be challenged on Mandatory Reconsideration if the circumstances do not support the DWP's assumption.

The Funeral Expenses Payment is split into two categories of costs:

Costs paid in full:

• Burial fees (including the plot and interment) or cremation fees (including the cost of the medical referee)
• The cost of the death certificate or other documents needed
• Travel costs to arrange or attend the funeral
• The cost of moving the body within the UK (if over 50 miles)

Other necessary costs — up to £1,000:

• Funeral director's fees
• A coffin or shroud
• Flowers arranged by the funeral director
• Religious or other ceremony costs
• Any other necessary expenses not listed above

The total amount paid in respect of the £1,000 category can vary based on what the estate contributes and other relevant insurance or prepaid funeral plans. The payment is not a full grant — it is intended to reduce rather than eliminate the financial burden in most cases, particularly for elaborate funerals.

Claim the Funeral Expenses Payment using form SF200. You can:

• Claim online at GOV.UK (the quickest route)
• Call the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 731 0469 to request a paper form or claim by phone
• Download and post the paper SF200 form

You must claim within 6 months of the date of the funeral. Claims made after this deadline will not be accepted.

You will need:

• The funeral bill or estimate from the funeral director
• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank account details for payment
• Proof of your qualifying benefit
• Details of the deceased's estate — any savings, insurance policies, or pre-paid funeral plans

The DWP aims to process claims within 3–4 weeks. Payment is usually made directly to you or to the funeral director. The DWP may contact you for further information or evidence during the assessment.

The Funeral Expenses Payment is recoverable from the deceased's estate. This means that if there is money or assets in the estate, the DWP will deduct equivalent value from the payment. Assets that are taken into account include:

• Savings and bank accounts in the deceased's sole name
• Insurance policies that pay out on death
• Pre-paid funeral plans
• Any lump sum from a pension or occupational scheme

Assets not taken into account include:

• Property jointly owned with a surviving partner
• The deceased's personal possessions
• Arrears of benefits owed to the deceased

If you later receive money from the estate that was not taken into account, you may be asked to repay some or all of the payment. It is important to declare all relevant assets accurately on the claim form to avoid overpayments being sought at a later date.

If your claim is refused or you disagree with the amount awarded, you can request a Mandatory Reconsideration within one month of the decision. See our Mandatory Reconsideration guide.