Benefit Advice Service: Help with funeral costs

When you are arranging the funeral for your loved one, as well as providing a dignified and appropriate service for them, you will need to consider how you will meet the costs incurred.  Green Willow Funerals and its staff will always advise and help you plan the funeral and spend your money wisely, but you may want to consider whether you are eligible for financial help and support from other sources at this time.

Green Willow Funerals are pleased that Liz Bettles, who has more than 10 years experience as a Benefits Advisor working in both the voluntary and statutory sectors, is able to provide this additional service solely for Green Willow Funerals’ clients.

In one recent case, the husband and wife were both in full employment at the time of the husband’s death. The wife was totally unaware that she was entitled to benefits amounting to over £7000 until Liz visited her and helped complete the relevant application forms.

It can happen that the client believes that they are entitled to benefits and learn that this is not the case – although this information may be disappointing, the client can then make an informed decision in planning the funeral for their loved one.

Benefits advice

Liz is able to visit you in your own home to help you complete application forms for “Help with Funeral Costs” and/or “Bereavement Benefits” as appropriate. (Not all of these are means tested.)

At the same time, you may wish to ensure that you are in receipt of your full  benefit  entitlement,  and  we  can  offer  this  advice  as  an  additional  service to  consider all aspects of your individual situation (health, finance, accommodation) and ensure that not only are you not missing out on any benefits you may be eligible to claim, or paying more than you should. (e.g. Housing and Council Tax Benefit, Disability Benefits, Pension Credit, Tax Credits, and Universal Credits - when it is introduced!)

If you would like to take advantage of this service, please ask your Green Willow Funeral Director to pass your details to Liz, who will contact you to arrange to discuss these issues with you in confidence.