South Down MP Margaret Ritchie has made representations to the Minister for Communities regarding the shortfall in funeral payments for people on limited incomes.
Ms Ritchie said: “I have raised this matter with the Minister as I am concerned that relatives are unable to meet rising funeral costs due to the limited help available from the Social Fund.
“The maximum award for essential funeral costs under the means-tested social fund funeral payment system has been frozen despite funeral costs rising every year, and these payments now no longer covers the cost of a funeral.
“I am concerned about the distressing circumstances and debt this is leading people into, at a time when they are grieving. The House of Commons Work and Pensions Committee has produced a report on this issue, and I have written to the Minister for Communities here to request the recommendations be implemented:
* Negotiate with funeral directors to make simple “fair funerals” a reasonable cost
* Set the maximum social fund funeral payment accordingly
“I will continue to pursue this matter so that people should not have to experience a debt at this most difficult time”.
