-
- Technical Central
- Protection guidance
- State benefits, pensions and related manuals
- Bereavement support payments
Share
Bereavement Support Payments
Bereavement Support Payment replaced Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Payment. The benefit is paid at one of two rates depending on whether the claimant is responsible for children.
Key facts
- May be able to claim if a spouse or civil partner died in the last 21 months. This may be extended if the cause of death was confirmed more than 21 months after death.
- The benefits must be claimed within 3 months of death to get the full amount.
- The spouse or civil partner must be below State Pension age to claim.
- A lump sum is paid followed by monthly payments for up to 18 months.
- Payments may be higher if there are children.
Eligibility
To be eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment the claimant needs to be the husband, wife or civil partner of somebody who died on or after 6 April 2017. The claimant must be below State Pension age to claim. They will be eligible if their spouse or civil partner either:
- paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since 6 April 1975 during their working life
- died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work
When the deceased spouse or civil partner died, the claimant must be:
- under State Pension age
- living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits
It is not possible to claim Bereavement Support Payment from prison.
How much can be claimed?
If a claim is made within 3 months of the death of the spouse or civil partner the maximum bereavement benefits are:
With children or pregnant when their spouse of civil partner died
| Benefit | Amount paid |
|---|---|
| One-off payment | £3,500 |
| Monthly payment up to 18 months | £350 x 18 months = £6,300 |
| Total | £9,800 |
Without children
| Benefit | Amount paid |
|---|---|
| One-off payment | £2,500 |
| Monthly payment up to 18 months | £100 x 18 months = £1,800 |
| Total | £4,300 |
Somebody who is not married or in a civil partnership is not eligible for bereavement support payments.
Other benefits
Bereavement Support Payment will not affect any other state benefits for a year after the first payment. After a year, any payment left over could affect the amount of other state benefits.
Claimants must tell their benefits office once they start getting Bereavement Support Payments.
Further information
Disclaimer
The information provided is based on our current understanding of the relevant legislation and regulations and may be subject to alteration as a result of changes in legislation or practice. Also it may not reflect the options available under a specific product which may not be as wide as legislations and regulations allow.
All references to taxation are based on our understanding of current taxation law and practice and may be affected by future changes in legislation and the individual circumstances of the investor.