§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what will be the maximum grant or loan paid to applicants in respect of funeral costs after April 1988; and what will be the maximum period over which loans will have to be repaid.
§ Mr. PortilloRegulations provide for a funeral payment from the social fund to cover the essential expenses of certain prescribed items commensurate with a simple funeral. After April 1988 provision will continue as before April, except that the claimant or his partner must be in receipt of income support or family credit (which replace supplementary benefit and family income supplement respectively), or housing benefit. The claimant or a member of his family must be responsible for the costs of a funeral but any payment made is recoverable from the estate of the deceased only if there is sufficient money in the estate once it is settled.
§ Mr. MaddenTo ask the Secretary of State for Social Services what criteria will be used to decide whether an applicant receives a grant or a loan to meet the funeral costs of a relative or close friend; how quickly decisions will be given on such applications; and whether there will be a right of appeal against refusal to make a grant or loan.
§ Mr. PortilloRegulations [The Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 1987] prescribe the criteria for payment of funeral costs. The claimant or member of his family must be responsible for the funeral costs and the claimant or partner must be in receipt of certain qualifying income-related benefits. Capital over £500 held by the claimant and partner is taken into account in assessing the amount payable, as is other money available for funeral costs such as contributions from relatives or insurance settlements. Decisions are made by adjudication officers as soon as possible and are subject to appeal, in the first instance to a social security appeal tribunal.