Understanding Funeral Grants in Ireland - Who Qualifies & How to Apply
Understanding Funeral Grants in Ireland - Who Qualifies & How to Apply
Dealing with a loved one's death is always challenging, and the financial burden of arranging a funeral can add to the stress. For families in Ireland, understanding the available financial support can be crucial. With the rising cost of living, it's more important than ever to ensure that families can give their loved ones the dignified farewell they deserve without undue financial strain.
At Private Cremation, we are committed to assisting families during these difficult times, ensuring they receive the necessary support and guidance. Here’s a quick guide about funeral grants avialable in Ireland, who qualifies for them, and how to apply.
Financial Assistance for Funeral Expenses
Depending on your circumstances, you might be eligible for assistance under the Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA) scheme, managed by the Department of Social Protection (DSP). This payment does not require social insurance contributions and is based on the means of the person responsible for covering the funeral costs.
A Community Welfare Officer (CWO) often handles these payments, and it's advisable to apply to your local CWO at the Health Centre before settling the funeral bill. The assistance is usually paid directly to the funeral director. Additionally, the SWA scheme can provide Additional Needs Payments in certain situations. Applying as soon as possible is essential, as many payments have specific time limits. Note that certain social welfare payments require a minimum number of PRSI contributions.
If the deceased was receiving a social welfare payment, their spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant may continue receiving this payment for six weeks after the death. It's crucial to notify the Department of Social Protection promptly. This notification will not result in the immediate cessation of payments; many benefits continue for a specified period to support the bereaved family.
Income Supports Following Bereavement
The Department of Social Protection offers various supports following a bereavement:
Support for Funeral Costs: Financial assistance to cover funeral expenses.
Payments for Widowed or Surviving Civil Partners: Grants and pensions for surviving spouses or civil partners.
Support for Parents or Guardians of Dependent Children: Financial aid for those responsible for young dependents.
Payments if Death is Work-Related: Benefits if the death resulted from work-related incidents.
For detailed information on grants and entitlements, visit the Citizens Information website or contact us at Private Cremation.
Supplementary Welfare Schemes
The Supplementary Welfare Allowance Scheme includes a basic payment, called Supplementary Welfare Allowance, and additional financial supplements for unforeseen expenses, such as emergencies. Administered by Community Welfare Officers (CWOs), this scheme is designed to help those with little or no income.
An Additional Needs Payment can assist with specific costs that cannot be met from your regular income, including funeral expenses. To qualify, you generally need to have a low or no income.
Grants and Payments Specific to Bereavement
Ireland has various grants and payments specific to different circumstances surrounding bereavement. To apply for one or more, you must provide the necessary documentation before the funds can be released. These include:
Death certificate
Birth certificate
Marriage or Civil Partnership certificate (to prove your relationship to the deceased)
Funeral receipts
The deceased person's Personal Public Service (PPS) number
Your PPS number may also be required
Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant
This once-off payment supports widowed individuals or surviving civil partners with dependent children. Eligible recipients must qualify for specific social welfare payments, such as the Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension. The grant is a lump sum of €8,000.
You must also qualify for one of the following payments:
Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension
Death Benefit under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension under EU regulations or a bilateral social security agreement between Ireland and another country
The Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension may be available to you if you are a surviving spouse or civil partner of a person who:
Died as a result of an accident at work
Died as a result of an occupational disease
Was getting Disablement Benefit assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Death Benefit Scheme cannot be paid at the same time as a Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension.
Special Funeral Grant
Available under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme, this grant helps cover funeral costs if the death was work-related. The grant amount is €850.
To be eligible for this grant, the death must have resulted from:
An accident at work
An accident while travelling directly to or from work
An occupational disease.
The person must also have paid a minimum of one week's PRSI.
Additional Needs Payment
This payment assists with essential expenses not covered by regular income, such as funeral costs. Eligibility is assessed based on income and circumstances, and the payment is discretionary.
You may qualify for an additional needs payment if you are:
Getting a social welfare payment
Working on a low income - regardless of the number of hours that you work
Applications can be made by using the SWA1 and SWA5 application forms. National Phone Line for Community Welfare Services Phone number: 0818 607080. If you have a question about this topic, contact the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000 (Monday to Friday, 9 am to 8 pm).
Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension
The Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's (Non-Contributory) Pension is a means-tested benefit for those not qualifying for the contributory version. It is intended for widows, widowers, or surviving civil partners without dependent children. If you have dependent children, you should apply for the One-Parent Family Payment instead.
This pension is available to widowed individuals or surviving civil partners under 66 years old without dependent children who do not qualify for the contributory pension. Once you turn 66, you will switch to the State Pension (Non-Contributory).
Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension
This pension provides a weekly payment to widows, widowers, or surviving civil partners whose deceased spouse or partner had enough social insurance contributions (PRSI). You might automatically qualify if your late spouse or partner received a State Pension (Contributory) with an increase for a dependent spouse or partner.
To be eligible, you must be a widow, Widower, or surviving civil partner and not live with another partner. If you are divorced or your civil partnership has ended, you can still qualify if you would have been entitled to the pension while married or in the partnership. This pension is available regardless of your other income.
There is no automatic qualification if your deceased spouse or partner was receiving mixed insurance pro-rata, EU/Bilateral Agreement pro-rata, or Pre-53 pension. In these cases, you need to apply normally.
Guardian's and Orphan's Payments
If you are caring for an orphan, you may receive a social welfare payment, even if you are not the legal guardian. The payment is meant to support the orphan and can be given if they live with you and you are responsible for their care.
The payment can go directly to orphans aged 18 to 22 who are in full-time education and not living with a guardian. There are two types of payments: contributory (based on the parent's PRSI) and non-contributory (based on a means test).
You can only claim one of the following:
Guardian's Payment (Contributory)
Guardian's Payment (Non-Contributory)
Death Benefit/Orphan's Pension under the Occupational Injuries Scheme
One-Parent Family Payment
The One-Parent Family Payment (OFP) is available to single parents due to the death of a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant. This payment is means-tested. If you also qualify for a Widow's, Widower's, or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension, you must choose which benefit is more advantageous as you cannot receive both.
You can receive OFP for up to two years after the death of your spouse, partner, or cohabitant or until your youngest child turns 18, whichever comes first. If you receive a Domiciliary Care Allowance for the child, OFP can continue until the child is 16. If you apply for OFP after the death, you may receive it for up to two years, but only until your youngest child turns 18.
Continuation of Social Welfare Payments
If a person receiving social welfare benefits dies, their surviving spouse, civil partner, or cohabitant may continue to receive payments for six weeks following the death. This support helps families manage immediate financial needs during the bereavement period.
These payments may cover the following:
Other Supportive Measures
Credit Union Death Benefit Insurance
Members of participating credit unions may receive a death benefit payment ranging from €1,300 to €3,250. Eligibility depends on the member's status and the specific conditions of the credit union's scheme.
For further information on available support and how to apply, contact your nearest Intreo Centre or Social Welfare Branch Office. You can also consult the Citizens Information Phone Service for guidance.
Supporting You When You Need It Most
At Private Cremation, we strive to support and guide families through the financial assistance process, reducing their emotional and financial stress during these difficult times. If you have any questions or need assistance, please do not hesitate to contact us, and we'll be more than happy to help in any way we can.