Compassionate grounds funeral expenses for a dependant
You may be eligible for the early release of your superannuation on specified compassionate grounds to pay for the funeral expenses of a dependant.
Important information
You need to complete the Application for funeral assistance if you would like to apply for the early release of your superannuation on specified compassionate grounds for a payment of a dependant's funeral expenses.
The early release of your superannuation to pay for your own funeral on the specified compassionate grounds is not permitted.
Eligibility
To check whether you are eligible, ask yourself the following questions about possible early access to your superannuation on funeral expenses for a dependant grounds.
- Do you require assistance in meeting costs of your dependant's funeral?
- Are you unable to pay for the expenses by any means other than accessing your superannuation?
If you answer 'no' to any of the above questions, it is unlikely that you will be eligible for the early release of superannuation on compassionate grounds.
Supporting documents
The supporting documents you need to provide are dependent upon the type of expenses you are applying for.
You should have the required documentation before submitting your application to avoid delays in processing your application.
You need to:
- get evidence of your dependant's death, such as a death certificate
- get quotes and/or outstanding invoices from relevant service providers that show the amount needed to pay for every expense you are claiming
- get evidence that the deceased person (where that person was not your spouse or child) was your dependant before his or her death, such as:
- bank statements, money transfer receipts, etc. proving financial dependency, or
- evidence of payment of a Commonwealth Carer’s benefit or other documentation proving personal dependency.
The quotes, invoices and/or receipts must:
- be dated and not more than 30 days old
- be in English or have been translated into English by a certified translator
- indicate any amounts claimable through private health insurance.
Note: it is important that all expenses are supported by quotes, invoices or receipts from the required service providers. Without these, we can’t process your application.
If you have borrowed money to pay expenses
If you have borrowed money to pay for expenses and are claiming for the early release of your superannuation benefits to repay this loan, you must provide specified supporting documentation.
This information must be provided in addition to the information listed above.
If the money was borrowed from an individual, such as a family member or a friend, you must provide:
- a statutory declaration written by the person you borrowed the money from that confirms:
- the date on which he or she gave you the money
- how much he or she gave you
- his or her understanding of what the money was needed for
- how much you still owe
- the agreed date the loan was to be repaid by
- documented evidence that the loan took place (this could be demonstrated by bank statements, money-transfer receipts, cheque stubs, or credit-card / bank statements in the lender’s name showing the payment of your expenses)
- receipts showing how the borrowed funds were spent.
If you are applying to repay a loan provided by a financial institution, you must provide:
- a written statement from the institution which gave you the loan which states:
- the amount of the loan
- the date the loan was given
- the purpose of the loan (if known)
- the date by which repayment was required
- the amount still owing
- the repayment amount and frequency
- the amount of arrears owing (if any)
- receipts showing how the borrowed funds were spent.
If you are applying to repay a credit card, you must provide:
- copies of your credit card statements showing the payment of the claimed expenses
- receipts showing the payment of the claimed expenses
- a currently dated credit card statement which details the:
- current balance owing
- minimum monthly repayment
- arrears owing (if any)
- total credit limit.