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<p>The Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payments provides a significant contribution towards
funeral costs, covering burials, cremations and £700 towards coffins, flowers and
other costs. It continues to meet the necessary costs of a cremation or burial for
claimants on certain income based benefits or tax credits. Average payments have increased
year-on-year to meet these necessary costs, by some 28% over the past ten years.</p><p>
</p><p>We have also made interest-free Social Fund Budgeting Loans available for funeral
costs in addition to Funeral Expenses Payments. Whilst we are keeping the level of
funeral expenses payments under review, we do need to ensure that we have a system
that is both fair for taxpayers, while assisting the most vulnerable with funeral
expenses.</p>
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