For other adult dependants the benefit is a pension, allowance or gratuity according to their relationship to, and the extent to which they were maintained by the deceased, at the time of death.
Industrial death pensions and allowances are taxable. Gratuities are not taxable.
How to claim
The Registrar issues a special certificate free to the person registering a death. The widow should complete the back of this certificate and take or send it to the local social security office who will issue a claim form.
Anyone, other than a widow, wishing to claim should contact any local social security office.
Some benefit may be lost if a claim is not made within three months from the date of death.
Further information: Leaflet NI10.
Invalid care allowance
Invalid care allowance is payable to people of working age who cannot work because they have to stay at home to care for a severely disabled relative. The benefit is non-contributory. Married women cannot generally qualify for the allowance.
The conditions
A person can qualify for invalid care allowance if he or she is:
regularly and substantially engaged in caring for a severely disabled relative; and
aged between 16 and 60 (women) or 65 (men); and
not gainfully employed; and
not undergoing full-time education; and
living in this country.
The conditions are explained below:
Regularly and substantially engaged in caring means spending at least 35 hours a week in caring for a severely disabled relative.
Severely disabled person is someone who is receiving either:
attendance allowance (higher or lower rate); or
constant attendance allowance at the normal maximum rate (£11·40 a week) or more with a war pension, industrial injuries disablement pension, workmen's compensation, or with an allowance for total disablement under the pneumoconiosis, byssinosis and miscellaneous diseases benefit scheme.
The relative who is severely disabled must be the wife or:
● father, mother, grandfather, grandmother, son, daughter, grandson, grand-daughter; or
step-father, step-mother, step-son, step-daughter, brother, sister, half- brother, half-sister, step-brother, step-sister, aunt, uncle, nephew or niece; or
● father-in-law, mother-in-law, son-in-law, daughter-in-law, brother-in- law or sister-in-law.
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