What to do if someone dies
We know that dealing with a bereavement is very difficult, especially if you are the person dealing with the financial affairs of the deceased. Find out here how to claim a Hoot member’s account. This guide aims to help you through the process of the closure of a deceased members account as easy and efficiently as we can.
Let us know
We understand that the death of someone close can be a very difficult time and we want to make the process of informing us as straightforward as possible for you.
You can inform us of the death of a member by phone 01204 365024, by email [email protected] or by coming into our branch in Victoria Square.
If you are the next of kin, executor of the will or have the Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration; and there are funds in the member’s account we will arrange an appointment to discuss your claim and complete any documents required.
We will send you information about what documents we will need to see and those you must bring to your appointment.
We aim to process your claim in a sensitive and efficient manner and in a way that causes the minimum of distress.
Find out more in our Bereavement Support document…
Documents we will need to close the account
Death certificate
The original death certificate.
Indentification
Proof of your identification.
Grant of Probate
Any Grant of Probate or Letter of Administration.
Bereavement request
A completed Bereavement request to close account form with details of the executor or administrator or personal representative who will be dealing with the deceased persons’ affairs.
We will make you an appointment
At the appointment we will verify your claim using the document you bring with you, plus any information we have on the member’s account. Once we are satisfied that you are the rightful claimant we will start the process of completing your claim.
What happens in order for you to claim the funds in the account depends on the balance of funds and whether there is any claim from another person.
Should there be any other claim on the funds we will inform you immediately and let you know what happens next.
If you are not able to come to a face-to-face appointment, we can arrange a video appointment. However, we will still need the original documents required to confirm the death.
Loan Protection & Life Savings Insurance
Hoot Credit Union has in place insurance, at no extra cost to members, to protect its members’ savings and loan accounts in the event of their death- helping protect your family from the financial burden of bereavement.
Loan Protection
If the deceased person has an outstanding loan balance with us we will make a claim on their behalf to offset the outstanding balance so that it isn’t passed on to your loved one. (Cover limits vary and certain restrictions apply based on age and cover.) If the claim is unsuccessful we will offset partly or in full by funds in the savings balance. We have the right to do this as part of our legal right to ‘lien of shares’.
Life Savings
Our insurance is a single lump sum payment to cover end-of-life expenses, in the event of the member’s death. The value of this payment is directly linked to the member’s savings behaviour and balances. Generally, the more the member saves, the higher the benefit payment. (Cover limits and certain restrictions apply based on savings balance and age at death or age when savings were made. Individual limits and restrictions may also vary over time.)
We will give you more information about this and how the claim works at your appointment.
Independent Bereavement Support
We have compiled a list of organisations that offer information and support when you have a bereavement.
NHS
Dealing with grief and loss. Help and advice on dealing with your loss.
Gov.uk
Gov.uk has a wealth of information on what to do when someone passes away, including registering a death, paying inheritance tax, and applying for probate.
Tell Us Once
Tell Us Once is a service that lets you report a death to most government organisations in one go.
Bolton Council
Information and help to pay for funeral expenses.
Down To Earth
Down to Earth is a charity that offers advice and help to pay for a funeral to those on low incomes.
National Association of Funeral Directors
The National Association of Funeral Directors (NAFD) provide funeral advice and a funeral directory service to help you find local firms, endorsed by the NAFD of Probate or Letter of Administration that exists.