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<p>DWP has a range of financial support available for bereaved families.</p><p> </p><p>Bereavement
Support Payment provides short-term financial support to working age people whose
deceased spouse or civil partner has paid sufficient National Insurance contributions.
It is intended to help with the immediate costs of bereavement and can be paid to
both widows and widowers. Recipients with children can receive an initial payment
of £3,500 and up to 18 monthly payments of £350, whilst those without can receive
an initial payment of £2,500 and up to 18 monthly instalments of £100. It is not taxable
and is paid on top of any income-related benefits the household receives thus not
disadvantaging low income families. It can be paid regardless of whether the surviving
spouse or civil partner is in work.</p><p> </p><p>The Funeral Expenses Payments scheme
provides an important contribution towards the cost of funeral for claimants in receipt
of certain income based benefits or tax credits. The Funeral Expenses Payment pays
for the necessary costs of a funeral including the burial or cremation fees in full
and in April 2020 the additional element that can help with other costs, such as a
coffin or the services of a funeral director, was increased from £700 to £1000.</p><p>
</p><p>For those that need support for ongoing living costs, from 6 April 2020 the
Government increased the standard allowance in Universal Credit by £86.67 per month
(equivalent to £20 per week) for one year on top of the planned annual uprating. This
additional increase means that claimants may be up to £1040 better off, depending
on their circumstances. This applies to all new and existing Universal Credit claimants.</p>
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