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<p>There are no current plans to amend the eligibility criteria for Funeral Expenses
Payment.</p><p>To receive support through the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme, a person
must be in receipt of a qualifying income-related benefit and be the person responsible
for making the funeral arrangements. In cases where the deceased has a surviving partner,
they are considered to be the responsible person. Where there is no surviving partner
or the surviving partner was estranged from the deceased at the time of death, an
immediate family member (parent or child), a close relative or a close friend may
be considered for help through the scheme.</p><p>Where the surviving partner of the
deceased was not estranged but is unable to act on their own behalf, a person, or
a body of people, may apply to act on their behalf as an appointee. If a surviving
partner is able to act on their own behalf and but is not estranged or willing to
take responsibility for the funeral arrangements, a Funeral Expenses Payment cannot
be awarded to another family member. They could, however, apply for a Budgeting Loan
or a Universal Credit Budgeting Advance to help pay towards the cost of a funeral,
if they meet the eligibility criteria.</p><p>In certain circumstances, Public Health
funerals are provided by local authorities.</p>
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