Funeral Support Payment¶
Funeral Support Payment is the Scottish replacement for the DWP's Funeral Expenses Payment. It is administered by Social Security Scotland, applies only to Scottish residents, and operates under different eligibility rules and a higher capped contribution than the rest-of-UK scheme. [source: social-security-scotland/funeral-support-payment-2026-04-30.html]
What it pays. Like the rest-of-UK scheme, the payment covers necessary burial or cremation fees in full, plus a flat-rate contribution towards other costs (funeral director's fees, transport, flowers). The flat-rate sum is reviewed annually; the current figure is published on mygov.scot. The payment can be made directly to the claimant's bank account or to the funeral director. [source: social-security-scotland/funeral-support-payment-2026-04-30.html]
Who can claim. The claimant must live in Scotland, be on a qualifying low-income benefit, and be the person responsible for the funeral. The list of qualifying benefits matches the rest-of-UK list (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, income-based JSA, income-related ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit with disability element). Only one person can claim per funeral; if two relatives are eligible, they must agree which one applies. [source: social-security-scotland/funeral-support-payment-2026-04-30.html]
Mutual exclusivity with rest-of-UK schemes. Funeral Support Payment cannot be claimed alongside the DWP's Funeral Expenses Payment or Northern Ireland's Funeral Expenses Assistance, or alongside an NHS hospital funeral provision. The schemes do not stack. [source: social-security-scotland/funeral-support-payment-2026-04-30.html]
Claim window and process. Applications are open from the date of death until 6 months after the funeral. Apply online at mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment, by phone on 0800 182 2222, or by paper form. Decisions usually issue within 4 weeks of the application being complete; a re-determination process applies if the claimant disputes the decision, and an appeal can follow to the First-tier Tribunal for Scotland. [source: social-security-scotland/funeral-support-payment-2026-04-30.html]
Last verified: 30 April 2026 against mygov.scot/funeral-support-payment.