Asset test - deceased child

A Funeral Grant can be paid for the reasonable funeral expenses of a child's funeral if those expenses cannot be met by the total assessable assets.

Total assessable assets are the total of:

• the deceased child's assessable estate before the payment of any debts and
• the combined assets of the parent's, that are in excess of the asset exemption

Note the parents must also meet an income test.

A Funeral Grant cannot be paid if the reasonable funeral expenses can be met by the total assessable assets.

There are specific assets that must be excluded if the deceased person was a child. These are called non-assessable assets.

An asset exemption applies to the parent's assets. Any parental assets that are less than the asset exemption must not be included in the Funeral Grant assessment.

The asset exemption does not apply to the deceased person's assessable estate.

Note if the parents are separated, asset and income details are not required for the estranged other parent or any other person who is liable in law to maintain the child.