# How to claim Funeral Expenses Payment

> How-to · Last reviewed 22 August 2026

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## Quick answer

If you get a qualifying benefit and you are arranging the funeral, claim within six months by calling 0800 151 2012 or posting form SF200. Scotland claims Funeral Support Payment instead.

The grant does not usually cover the whole funeral. This is not a DWP form you submit through Money Guide.

## Steps

### 1. Check you are in the right nation

England and Wales: Funeral Expenses Payment. Scotland: Funeral Support Payment from Social Security Scotland. Northern Ireland: nidirect Funeral Payment.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments

### 2. Check qualifying benefit and relationship

You or your partner need Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit or income-related ESA (or a pending claim), and you must meet the relationship rules. Official: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

Source: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/eligibility

### 3. Claim within six months

Call 0800 151 2012 (Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm) or post SF200. You can claim before the funeral with an invoice or signed contract, not an estimate. Universal Credit claims wait until after the next payment for a decision.

Source: https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim

### 4. Tell government about the death

Use Tell Us Once so DWP, HMRC and others stop payments that should stop. Guide: [Tell Us Once](/how-to/report-a-death-tell-us-once/). Hub: [Funeral Expenses Payment](/family-life/funeral-expenses-payment/).

## Common pitfalls

- Waiting more than six months after the funeral
- Assuming New Style (contribution-based) ESA is a qualifying benefit — check the live GOV.UK list
- Expecting the grant to match the funeral director’s full invoice

## Frequently asked questions

### Who is the money paid to?

To you if you have already paid, or to the funeral director if you have not.

## Sources

- [GOV.UK — Funeral Expenses Payment](https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments)
- [GOV.UK — How to claim](https://www.gov.uk/funeral-payments/how-to-claim)

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Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.