Husband died in Scotland, wife in Philippines what to do?...

what about benefits like death payment ? When my late wife died--2007--i was sent a payment of £2000 within days from the dept of work and pensions because she was below the state pension age. I knew nothing about this--but was told about it at my local jobcenter--the staff were EXTREMELY kind and helpful.

you need to find out about any pension or benefits from the late husbands employers.

How could she possibly able to do that? She told me earlier, she tried messaging his last employer though their Facebook page asking if she could get his last pay to support her & the kids but the message has just been seen but she got no reply... yet.

Am i correct in thinking most employers include a death in service insurance or something similar, usually around 2.5 times annual salary, if this applicable it would be a big help, but of course the issue is finding out the facts over here whilst she is in the Philippines.

its nothing to do with his employer--its purely handled through the work and pensions department. It (was) a benefit payable when anyone dies under state pension age if they have paid national insurance at some time in their life. In fact--it is a one of payment instead of many years of state pension that would become payable had the person not died.

But i just dont know if it is still available. She really needs the services of a solicitor over here. It is way beyond your remit.

Yes it's in the link @Br28016 provided earlier the higher figure is £3500 and the lower is £2500 depending how long it takes the applicant to apply.
She could also try applying for Widowed parents allowance.

But to get any sort of applications going she is going to need the Death Certificate first and foremost.
Looking at the information so far I guess there may not be a house in the UK as the guy worked in an Army camp then hotels probably accomadation provided.
If she gets the right claims in she may raise enough to pay off the property in her name in the Philippines and have to settle for that.
Any other estate will be a long and winding road maybe to no where.

Actually better than that as it is £3500 lump sum and then £350 a month after that for 18 months.

Only found out about it recently helping friend of family. Worth people being aware and making spouses aware. Also not counted as public funds.

From memory they want marriage and death certificates and if children I expect will want their birth certificates as well.

I did scan through eligibility rules and implication was could claim if resident overseas in certain countries of which Philippines was one. Claim needs to go in within three months to avoid loss of some of monthly payments.

Sure when I scanned the info on it there was a caveat that could be lower overseas.

Won't replace an income but at hard times like these will help a bit.

Anyone should be able to order death certificate as they are public record (unlike Philippines where have to be family) but think will need to get from registrar in area where he died.

GRO link provided earlier in thread will only cover the records over six months old.

If death was in Manchester the link below may help.

https://www.manchester.gov.uk/birthsmarriagesdeaths

If she has employment history then some details on who employers were may help in tracking pension providers.

Could the british embassy help?

When I asked Rose, she said he only has savings on his bank account, own a car and no debt or loan in UK, but her bro in law as I said is telling her that her hubby still owe some overdue payments to the landlord and they cannot afford to pay the funeral expenses as well, so he is expecting her to pay for it.

I absolutely agree with everything you said.

Everything is just confusing for her atm, she doesn't know where and what to start. I advice her to sort first the death certificate & order it online but to make sure she follow the link for Scotland. It is the most crucial document she need for a start. After a while, she messaged me again to say she is having trouble searching for her hubby's name, sounds like it is not on their records... maybe not just yet. I, then said maybe her hubby's family hasn't register yet his death & to better ask the brother perhaps, because to me it sounds like he is the only one sorting things out & updating her on what is going on from time to time. I really feel sorry for her but I think as some of you have said having a solicitor there is the only way she can sort everything out in a less stressful way. Wish I can help her more but I am as confused as her with UK rules and more so Scottish rules as my hubby keep on saying England & Scotland's rules are different. I really appreciate all of you who tried to helped us in this complicated situation. THANK YOU!

Do you know where he died ? An exact location is really required. I was assuming Manchester as earlier email mentioned Manchester police.

The death should be recorded where he died as opposed to were he was living or where he was from originally.

Once have location of death then can identify the local registry office who should be able to supply the death certificate.

Sorry I smell a rat and think Rose is being set up to a fraud.

That's it though it's the lack of information and what there is is sketchy and bits don't add up.
I maybe wrong! But for me it has 2 brothers collaborating written all over it!

On a different note you make some valid points on will structure I need to look at.

" Her husband is her only source of income for her kids and the house they bought in Philippines."

how was this income paid ? Did the couple have a shared bank account ?