Government introduces various measures to make process simpler
The DWP has brought in a number of measures to improve the process of applying for funeral payments Credit: John Stillwell/PA
The Department for Work and Pensions is to allow applicants for funeral payments to submit evidence for their claims electronically, as part of a package of measures to simplify and improve the process.
Funeral payments are available to qualifying recipients of certain benefits to help with funeral costs for relatives or close friends. In a bid to make the process of applying to receive the payments simpler and smoother, the government will, from next year, allow evidence related to the claims to be submitted electronically. The implementation of this, and other measures follows a government consultation period.
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Minister for family support, housing, and child maintenance Caroline Dinenage said: “Losing a loved one is a sad and difficult time, and we want to make the process of claiming a funeral payment as simple as possible. I want to thank those who responded to our consultation, and I am pleased that we will be bringing in all its recommendations to make it easier for people to make a claim.”
Other measures being introduced include extending from three to six months the timeframe within which people can make a claim, allowing qualifying funeral payment recipients to receive additional, non-deductible contributions from individuals or charities, and shortening application forms for children’s funerals.
