Down to Earth – SHSCT area

Down to Earth have launched a new digital eligibility checker for the Social Fund Funeral Expenses Payment.

The new online tool is it’s first of its kind and guides people through the complex criteria for this benefit, which is available to some bereaved people from the Department for Communities (Northern Ireland).
Based on our front-line experience, we have learned that the criteria for the Funeral Expenses Payment are complex, which often leads to exclusion.
This uncertainty makes it difficult for many people to budget for funeral arrangements, and for the most vulnerable, it can lead to a financial crisis. We hope the new online tool will help recently bereaved individuals avoid funeral-related debt and give them space to grieve. For people aged 18 and over.