WA Bereavement Assistance Program

What Is This Payment?

The Bereavement Assistance Program exists because a funeral is one of the largest unavoidable costs a family can face, and it arrives without warning. For people already on a low income, the bill can be out of reach entirely.

The rule database tags this as a Group B benefit with an eligibility_only result role. It does not produce a guaranteed dollar figure in your report; it confirms you are likely eligible and refers you to the Department of Communities, which assesses hardship and arranges a basic funeral.

Because it is means tested, the Department looks at your financial circumstances and the deceased person's estate. It is support of last resort for households that genuinely cannot meet the cost.

How Much Can You Get?

The amount block is eligibility_only with period: none. There is no fixed cash payment to the applicant; the program contributes to the cost of a basic funeral.

• Basic funeral costs covered or contributed to, subject to a means test on your financial situation.
• No general cash payment to spend freely; the help is directed at the funeral itself.
• Hardship-based: the level of help reflects your circumstances rather than a set amount.

Because the value depends on your means assessment, the program is classified Group B; its value is removing an unaffordable funeral bill from a grieving household.

Eligibility Conditions

The eligibility block is an all set, so every condition below must be met.

1. Western Australian resident: state = WA. The program is run by the WA Department of Communities.
2. Eligible concession card holder: concession_card_type is one of Pensioner Concession Card, Health Care Card, Low Income Health Care Card, or DVA Gold Card. Holding one of these is the usual marker of the low income the program targets.

Beyond holding an eligible card, the Department of Communities applies a means test that looks at your overall financial situation and at whether the deceased person left an estate that could meet the cost. The program is intended for genuine hardship where no other funds are available.

Applications generally come through a referral rather than a self-service form, so a social worker, funeral director, or community service can help you start the process at a very difficult time.

How To Apply

The channel recorded is referral, with evidence of hardship required.

• You are usually referred to the program by a community service, social worker, or funeral director rather than applying directly.
• Be ready to provide evidence of your financial hardship and your concession card.
• Contact the Department of Communities to confirm how a referral works for your situation.

Read the official WA Bereavement Assistance Program guidance

Rule-Based Scenarios

Scenario 1: a pensioner loses her partner

Margaret holds a Pensioner Concession Card and her husband has died with no savings and no insurance. A social worker refers her to the program, which assesses her hardship and arranges a basic funeral she could not otherwise afford.

Scenario 2: an estate can pay

When Daniel's father dies, there is a modest estate that can cover funeral costs. Because funds are available, the means test means the program does not contribute, even though Daniel himself is on a Health Care Card.

Scenario 3: a referral through the funeral director

After her brother dies suddenly, Aisha cannot meet the bill. The funeral director, familiar with the scheme, helps refer her to the Department of Communities so a basic service can be arranged.

Scenario 4: no eligible card

Tom is on a comfortable income with no concession card. He is not in the financial hardship the program is designed for, so he is not eligible and arranges the funeral privately.

Common Mistakes

• Assuming it is a cash grant: the program contributes to a basic funeral; it does not pay you a set amount to spend as you choose.
• Ignoring the means test: if the estate or your finances can meet the cost, the program will not contribute, even with an eligible card.
• Waiting too long to ask: raise it early with a social worker or funeral director, because arrangements move quickly after a death.
• Expecting a premium funeral: the help is for a basic, dignified funeral, not for additional services or extras.
• Thinking you must apply alone: the program works through referral; community services and funeral directors can start it for you.
• Overlooking the concession card requirement: you generally need an eligible concession card to be in the target group for the program.

Related Benefits

• WA No Interest Loan Scheme - up to $2,000 interest-free for essentials.
• WA Hardship Utility Grant - help with overdue energy and water bills.
• WA Public Trustee Will Drafting - concession fee rate for wills.
• Bereavement Payment - federal help after the death of a partner or carer.
• Crisis Payment - federal one-off help in extreme circumstances.
• DVA Funeral Benefit - help with funeral costs for eligible veterans.

Frequently Asked Questions