Terminal benefit payments to a single client

When a single client with no dependent children dies, payment generally stops from the day after the date of death.

There is some discretion to continue payment for up to 28 days. When payment is continued after the date of death, it is referred to as terminal benefit.

Circumstances where you might consider continued payment beyond a single client's date of death include:

• when the deceased client's domestic situation results in a transition cost for a family member, causing hardship
  Example: accommodation and other household costs when client has been sharing accommodation

or

• when there are exceptional and justified costs associated with the death of the client
  Example: multiple deaths within one family

You should not continue payment for 28 days following the death of a single client to meet funeral expenses.

The person responsible for the cost of the funeral is able to receive assistance from Veterans Affairs New Zealand.

If Veterans Affairs New Zealand have already assisted with the funeral expenses there is no entitlement to a Funeral Grant as well.

If the Ministry of Social Development grants an application for a Funeral Grant before a request is made to Veterans Affairs New Zealand, Veterans Affairs may pay a top-up in addition to the Funeral Grant.

The combined amount of top-up and Funeral Grant must not be more than the maximum amount paid by Veterans Affairs New Zealand.

If you are paying terminal benefit for a single client you will need to manually calculate entitlement and make an adhoc payment.

There is no automatic provision for the payment of terminal benefit (for a single client) in SWIFTT. You should make notes in CMS with the adhoc amount and the period it represents.

Wherever possible you should enter the next of kin or the executor of the deceased's estate on SWIFTT.