The Social Fund Funeral Expenses (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2018

EXPLANATORY NOTE

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

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 (Northern Ireland) 1987 (S.R. 1987 No. 465) 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 the funeral.

Regulations 4 to 7 amend the Social Fund Maternity and Funeral Expenses (General) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2005 (S.R. 2005 No. 506).

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

Regulation 5 adds residents of care establishments who are supported by Health and Social Care trusts 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.