This chapter provides information on benefits you can claim in the event of the death of a family member (Apbedīšanas pabalsti):

• funeral benefits;
• widow's/widower's benefit.

In what situation can I claim?

In the event of the death of a family member, you can claim funeral benefit and allowance for the deceased’s spouse (pabalsts mirušā laulātajam).

Funeral benefits are granted to socially insured persons if the deceased was their dependent. Funeral benefits are also granted to family members or a person who is arranging the funeral if the deceased was a socially insured person or the recipient of an old-age pension, compensation for loss of work capacity, unemployment benefits or state social security benefits.

The funeral benefit is a lump sum/one-off payment benefit.

If you and your spouse are pensioners, you have the right to claim allowance in the event of your spouse's death.

The allowance for the deceased’s spouse is paid out for 12 months.

What conditions do I need to meet?

Funeral benefits are granted:

• to socially insured persons if the deceased was their dependent (a child or other non-work-capable person);
• to family members or a person who is arranging the funeral if the deceased was a socially insured person or the recipient of an old-age pension, compensation for loss of work capacity, unemployment benefits or state social security benefits;
• to family members of a socially insured person or a person who is arranging the funeral.

Funeral benefits are also paid out if the socially insured person or his or her family member has died within 1 month of the expiry of the social insurance contribution period.

Allowance for the deceased’s spouse is granted if on the day of death both the deceased and his or her spouse were recipients of old-age, disability, retirement or special state pensions.

What am I entitled to and how can I claim?

Amount of benefits

Funeral benefits as well as allowance for the deceased’s spouse are paid one time only.

Amounts of funeral benefits:

• in the event of the death of an insured person - double the average contribution wage of the deceased;
• in the event of the death of a pensioner or recipient of benefits for the loss of work capacity - double the pension and supplement (if such determined) or benefits;
• in the event of the death of a dependent family member or unemployed person - triple the amount of state social security benefits (EUR 327);
• in the event of the death of a recipient of state social security benefits - double the amount of state social security benefits (EUR 218).

If the insured person was the recipient of a pension, compensation or state social security benefits, the pay-out is one benefit amount - in the largest amount.

Allowance for the deceased’s spouse is paid out to the amount of 50% of the pension and supplement (if such determined) of the deceased.

Application for benefits

You can apply for funeral benefits by:

• filling out a form in person at any State Social Insurance Agency (SSIA) branch;
• posting a completed form to the SSIA;
• emailing a completed form signed with an e-signature to the SSIA;
• e-application.

The portal Latvija.lv has information in e-service format regarding your social insurance payments and the amount of benefits, pensions and support payments you can claim using internet banking or your e-signature.

Jargon busters

A breadwinner is a person obliged to provide for his or her dependents: spouse, children, grandchildren, parents or grandparents.

A dependent is a non-work-capable person who is partially or fully supported by the breadwinner.

The insurance contribution wage is the amount of income from which social insurance contributions have been paid.

Social insurance contributions are legally mandated payments paid into a special budget account which give the right to socially insured persons to receive social insurance benefits stipulated by law, including unemployment, maternity, paternity, illness and parental benefits, disability, old-age and loss of breadwinner pensions, and compensation for workplace accidents and work-related illnesses and healthcare services.

Forms you may need to fill in

• Form for claiming/recalculating funeral benefits to be submitted in person to the SSIA, by post, e-mail (with e-signature) or e-application
• Form for one-off benefit for spouses to be submitted in person to the SSIA, by post, e-mail (with e-signature) or e-application

Know your rights

See the links below for information on funeral benefits. These are not European Commission websites and do not reflect the views of the European Commission.

• Social security in the European Union - information on social insurance periods if you have worked/lived in another EU country, as well as pensions and benefits you can continue to claim if you move to another Member State.

Latvian laws and regulations on funeral benefits:

• Law on State Social Allowances
• Law on State Pensions
• Law on Compulsory Social Insurance in respect of Accidents at Work and Occupational Diseases
• Law on Maternity and Sickness Insurance
• Law on Unemployment Insurance
• Cabinet regulations on mandatory social insurance against workplace accidents and work-related illnesses, and on the amount of state social insurance benefits and funeral benefits

European Commission publication and website:

• Funeral benefits: your rights in other European Union Member States

Who do you need to contact?

State Social Insurance Agency
Lacplesa iela 70a, Riga, LV-1011
Tel.: +371 64507020 (working days 8.30- 17.00)
Email: pasts@vsaa.gov.lv
Email for consultations: konsultacijas@vsaa.gov.lv
twitter.com/VSAA_LV
Branches in Riga and elsewhere

Ministry of Welfare
Skolas iela 28, Riga, LV-1331
Tel.: +371 80205100
Email: lm@lm.gov.lv
twitter.com/Lab_min

If you have any problems regarding your rights in the European Union, please contact the EU assistance service.