Anybody can claim bereavement benefits depending on the relationship with the deceased. You will be issued with the benefits under specific circumstances. Consult with Indianapolis, IN cremations experts for a complete guide on claiming bereavement benefits. 

Eligibility Criteria for Claiming Benefits 

The rates that will get applied while issuing the benefits will depend on whether you have minors to take care of. For you to also enjoy these benefits, you need to be below the State Pension age. The deceased must have contributed to the National Insurance for under 25 weeks while they lived and worked. 

Payment Rates Involved 

Bereavement benefits get paid at higher or standard rates. The higher rate is for expectant women or those with minors as their dependents. The standard rate, on the other hand, is for the rest of the people. You will not get taxed on any of the payments. If you are running low on income and this benefit is not helping much, you can claim other benefits such as Housing Benefits and Council Tax Reduction. 

Suppose you are receiving other benefits; they will not get affected by your monthly income. If you are imprisoned or on remand, you will stop receiving your bereavement benefits. You will receive all the missed payments when you get released. 

Before claiming bereavement benefits, if you have difficulty planning for the funeral, apply for a Funeral Expenses Payment. They will help you sort out most of the bills associated with funerals. You should, however, note that this money is refundable. Before applying, go through the payment methods and find one that suits you. 

How To Claim Bereavement Benefits 

First, you can call the bereavement service helpline. Their phone number is available on their website and all social media pages. They also have a text phone number in case you are uncomfortable speaking. Just send a short message with clear intentions. You also have the option of downloading a claim form on the GOV.UK website. They have all the posts concerning bereavement claims. You apply instantly. 

The application also takes place online on the GOV.UK website. Only a few applications get submitted in a day, therefore, applying online requires early timing. You can contact your local Job center Plus to send you a hardcopy form by post. Once it arrives, you fill in the required details and repost it to the company. This method is, however, not highly recommended because it takes a long time to reach you, then again days before your feedback gets sent. 

Remember that you must claim within the first three months of your loved one’s departure to enjoy full benefits. During application, read through all the instructions, and confirm that you have answered the questions as required before submitting them. 

Conclusion 

You may have difficulties balancing the loss of your loved one and struggling to complete the required forms. This may even lead you to believe fraudsters who pretend to be issuing such forms. To be safe, you can ask for help from a relative or close friend. If filling out the forms becomes a complete struggle, you can count on professionals from Indianapolis, IN cremations for their assistance.