A parent who has entered the labour market before the loss of a child, stillbirth or miscarriage, and is entitled to bereavement leave but receives payments of a bereavement grant, may suffer loss of income if the bereavement grant only covers part of the loss of income. In these instances the employer may be permitted to compensate for the loss of income which the bereavement grant will not cover, although without the parent performing work duties.
Surveillance
A monthly inspection is conducted by comparing information on payments from The Directorate of Labour with records from the tax authorities.
Payment reductions
A parent may be entitled to be compensated for the loss of income which a payment of a bereavement grant will not cover, and in such instances the employer is permitted to compensate for the difference of the payment of a bereavement grant and average wages for the last 2 months before the loss of a child, stillbirth or miscarriage.
Payments from an employer intended for a period other than when the parent receives payments of a bereavement grant will not reduce payments of the grant.
Correction of payments
Parents receiving overpayments
If parents have received higher payments from The Directorate of Labour than they were entitled to according to the assessment of the tax authorities or for other reasons, they must reimburse the amount that was overpaid, plus a 15% surcharge. The surcharge shall be revoked if parents can argue that they are not to blame for the shortcomings which lead to The Directorate of Labour’s decision.
The importance of reporting changes
It is important that a parent informs The Directorate of Labour about everything which could result in overpayments from the directorate, including changes regarding the period of bereavement grant or income.
Restoring entitlements
A parent may be entitled to a bereavement grant following a reimbursement if other conditions are met, such as when the entitlement to bereavement grant has not been revoked due to time limits.
