Money to help with funeral expenses?

BogManInc

My brother recently died and I am now sorting out the funeral expenses. Unfortunately as the bill is nearly €5,000 and I'm on disability allowance I don't know how I am going to pay this bill. I know I can apply for the €850 bereavement grant but is there anything else I can apply for as I have absolutely no way of paying this bill as I have no assets, no savings.

Someone told me that there is a payment you can get whereby you receive 6 weeks worth of social welfare payments of the deceased if they were on social welfare? My brother was working but was on x's and o's so he was in receipt of some form of a welfare payment, I think it was a supplementary payment?

Obviously it wouldn't cover all the expenses, but it would certainly go some way towards helping with the costs.

I don't know the name of this payment or scheme though - does anyone know what this might be called or where I could apply for it?

ABajaninCork

I'm very sorry for your loss. But you should go and see the local CWO. They will be able to help.

BogManInc

Thank you ABajaninXork, I'll call into my CWO tomorrow.

mystic

The six weeks after death payment only applies if the deceased person (your brother) had a spouse/partner/civil partner on their payment or they were included on their spouse/partner/civil partner's payment as a qualified adult.

The CWO may give you some help towards the funeral bill. You'll need to bring the bill, any life assurance policies, bank statements (your own and your late brothers), proof of assets (if any), etc. It's a discretionary payment though.

You say that your late brother was working, the employer may operate a death in service benefit. Check if he was in a trade union as most of them operate this too. There also may be outstanding wages/holiday pay due to your late brother.

Hope this helps and sorry for your loss.

fussyonion

The Bereavement Grant has been abolished.

http://www.thejournal.ie/bereavement-grant-abolition-howlin-shame-1131599-Oct2013/

BogManInc

mystic, thank you very much for your response. Very helpful. Unfortunately he wasn't married and didn't have any children. He didn't have any assets nor do I. I will apply for the bereavement grant and see what the CWO can do for me, it's a trying time.

I don't think he was in any trade union or had any credit union account or anything like that.

Thank you for your help.

fussyonion

BogManInc wrote: »

mystic, thank you very much for your response. Very helpful. Unfortunately he wasn't married and didn't have any children. He didn't have any assets nor do I. I will apply for the bereavement grant and see what the CWO can do for me, it's a trying time.

I don't think he was in any trade union or had any credit union account or anything like that.

Thank you for your help.

The Bereavement Grant was abolished in the Budget, as I already said.

mystic

fussyonion wrote: »

The Bereavement Grant was abolished in the Budget, as I already said.

It's not abolished yet.

'The Bereavement Grant of €850 will be discontinued. (January 2014)'

Taken from http://www.welfare.ie/en/downloads/budfact14.pdf

Annasopra

fussyonion wrote: »

The Bereavement Grant was abolished in the Budget, as I already said.

Not till next year!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

danjo-xx

Think there is help up to around 2k under the urgents needs payment from the CWO.... but you may have to grovel...

also check if your brother had a credit union account as some have DBI Death Benefit Insurance for members that keep a minimum of x amount in their account each year.

Also check if he had a life policy etc