Can anyone see any answer to this please. Couple separate but remain married for 20 years. She dies. He's on Pension Credit. There are three children - none on any relevant benefit. The children refuse to help with funeral payment. The husband accepts the bill of £1700, but can only pay £1000 from her estate. He applies for Funeral Payment, but is refused because the children are deemed next of kin, as he is no longer part of household. Is this worth appealing, or is there any other way he can get the £700 he owes?

Were either of them in the armed forces or a union? Both of these can sometimes help with this type of thing - there are other's but these two are the most obvious and the one's we use alot.

We have a similar case going to appeal at present. Only case we could find was that dad (in your case) was a 'close friend' of the deceased (Reg.7(8)(e))and that all the children were 'estranged' under Reg.8(1)(c) and hence could be disregarded. Bit thin and depends on all the facts but may be possible in a sympathetic case, stressing the special nature of the bond of marriage etc.

Alternativley, yes, try relevant charitable support.

Richard Atkinson