Explanatory note

These Regulations amend the provisions governing the making of funeral payments from the Social Fund.

Regulation 2 amends the Social Security (Claims and Payments) Regulations 1987 (S.I. 1987/1968) to permit electronic submission of evidence in connection with claims for social fund funeral payments and to extend the period in which claims can be made from 3 months to 6 months after the date of a funeral.

Regulations 4 to 7 amend the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3061).

Regulation 4 removes the definition of “funeral” from the regulations.

Regulation 5 adds residents of care establishments who are supported by local authorities to the list of persons who are not taken into account in determining whether a claimant is responsible for funeral costs.

Regulation 6 clarifies that costs can be claimed in respect of any new burial plot, irrespective of whether that involves an exclusive right to the plot and allows for any costs relating to death certification to be awarded

Regulation 7 removes the provision allowing for the deduction from funeral payments of contributions received from charitable funds or certain relatives.

An impact assessment has not been produced for this instrument as it has no impact on the costs of business or civil society organisations.