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Income supports following a bereavement
From Department of Social Protection
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If you or your family are unable to cover the essential costs of funeral arrangements for the deceased, you can make an application for an Additional Needs Payment from the Community Welfare Service.
An Additional Needs Payment aims to help you meet essential expenses which you cannot reasonably be expected to pay out of your weekly income.
You and your family's ability to meet the funeral costs will be assessed by your local Community Welfare Service office, who will decide on your application based on your circumstances. This assessment will include any savings and insurance policies that the deceased person may have had to cover their own funeral costs.
Support will only be provided towards the requirements for a dignified funeral. You should consult with a funeral director before making any financial commitment on funeral arrangement costs. Exceptionally expensive and unnecessary additions to the funeral will not be considered under this assistance.
Applications can be made by using the SWA1 and SWA5 application forms.
If the department provides financial support, the payment can be made directly to the Funeral Director (see section 6 of the SWA 1 form – Nominated Payment).
The National Community Welfare Contact Centre can direct you to the appropriate office.
National Phone Line for Community Welfare Services
Phone number:
Application Form: Supplementary Welfare Allowance (SWA1)
Claim Form for Supplementary Welfare Allowance/Additional Needs Payment. Edition: July 2023.
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Application form for: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Assistance towards Funeral Expenses (SWA5)
Edition: February 2023
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If someone dies at work, a Special Funeral Grant under the Occupational Injuries Benefit scheme may be available to the person who pays for the funeral expenses.
If you are widowed, the Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension may be available to you. To qualify, you must satisfy certain social insurance conditions based on your or your late spouse's PRSI contributions.
If you are widowed and do not qualify for a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's (Contributory) Pension, you may instead qualify for a Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension.
If your spouse or civil partner has died and you have dependant children under 18 (or under 22 if they are in full time education) you may qualify for the Widowed or Surviving Civil Partner Grant.
If your spouse or civil partner has died, you may be able to claim the One-Parent Family Payment for up to two years after the date of their death or until your youngest child turns 18, whichever is earlier.
If you are taking care of a child that has lost a parent (or parents), you may qualify for Guardian's Payment.
The Death Benefit Scheme includes:
- Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension
- Orphan's Pension
- Funeral Grant
The Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension may be available to you if you are a surviving spouse or civil partner of a person who:
- died as a result of an accident at work
- died as a result of an occupational disease
- was getting Disablement Benefit assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death
A Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Pension under the Death Benefit Scheme cannot be paid at the same time as a Widow's, Widower's or Surviving Civil Partner's Contributory Pension.
The Orphan’s Pension may be available to the guardian of a child or children if their parent, step-parent or the person who was supporting the orphaned child or children:
- died as a result of an accident at work
- died as a result of an occupational disease
- was getting Disablement Benefit assessed as 50% or more at the time of their death
If someone dies at work, a Special Funeral Grant may be available to the person who pays for the funeral expenses.