Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment is a payment for bereaved spouses, civil partners, or surviving cohabiting partners with dependent children. This includes if you were pregnant when your cohabiting partner died.

We know the application process for benefits can be confusing and may seem daunting, especially when someone close to you has died. That’s why we’ve put together this information about who can claim Bereavement Support Payment, how to claim it and where to get further support.

Bereavement Support Payment is a benefit paid to:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) defines cohabiting partner as a 'partner that you lived with as if you were married to them'. Bereaved cohabiting partners without dependent children are not eligible for Bereavement Support Payment.

On this page, we usually use the word partner when the information applies to all of the relationships listed above. If the process or eligibility is different because of relationship status, we will use the specific terms in this list.

Bereavement Support Payment is to help with finances. It is not intended to provide a basic income to live on. Instead, it is paid on top of other earnings or benefits.

It is not means-tested. This means whether you can get it, and how much you get, is not affected by your income, savings or investments.

Bereavement Support Payment was introduced on 6 April 2017 to replace Bereavement Allowance (previously known as Widow’s Pension), Bereavement Payment, and in some circumstances, Widowed Parent’s Allowance.

The law changed on 9 February 2023 to allow bereaved cohabiting partners with dependent children to apply. If your cohabiting partner died on or after this date, the normal rules and time limits for claiming apply. If your cohabiting partner died before this date, see Backdated Bereavement Support Payment below.

You may be entitled to some amount of Bereavement Support Payment if you meet the following eligibility criteria. It is important to seek independent advice from a benefits adviser, who can explain more about your individual situation (see Where can I get more help? below).

You and your partner were:

married or civil partners or living together with dependent children **or ** living together and you were pregnant when they died.

When your partner died, you were:

If you turn State Pension age while getting Bereavement Support Payment, it stops – even if you are part way through the payments.

Bereavement Support Payment is not paid if you’re in prison.

You may still be able to claim Bereavement Support Payment if your partner’s cause of death was confirmed more than 21 months after their death. To find out more, call the Bereavement Service helpline in England, Scotland and Wales, or the Bereavement Service in Northern Ireland (see How do I claim Bereavement Support Payment? below).

On 9 February 2023, the rules changed to extend entitlement to cohabiting partners with dependent children. If your partner died before 9 February 2023 but after 6 April 2017, you may be entitled to backdated payments. This depends on the date of your partner’s death and the date you make a claim.

The normal rules and time limits for claiming apply (see When should I claim Bereavement Support Payment? below).

If you made a claim before 8 February 2024, you may have been entitled to both the lump sum and up to 18 monthly payments.

If you make a claim after 8 February 2024 but on or before 8 November 2024, you may still be entitled to some monthly payments, but not the lump sum.

You will not be entitled to the lump sum.

If you made a claim before 8 February 2024, you may have been entitled to up to 18 monthly payments.

If you make a claim after 8 February 2024, but on or before 8 November 2024, you may still be entitled to some monthly payments. But the amount you get with these payments will be limited.

If your partner died before 6 April 2017, you may be able to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance. You must have at least one dependent child and meet certain other conditions.

The maximum amount that you might be entitled to is a lump sum and up to 18 monthly payments. There are two rates:

You’ll get the higher rate if:

You’ll get the lower rate if:

No – Bereavement Support Payment is tax free.

You normally have 12 months from the date of the person’s death to claim the Bereavement Support Payment lump sum.

You must claim the Bereavement Support Payment monthly payments within three months of your partner’s death to qualify for the maximum 18-month period.

You can claim up to 21 months after the date of death, but you will receive less money.

You may be able to claim after 21 months have passed if you are a bereaved spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner with dependent children (see Backdated Bereavement Support Payment above).

If you live in Northern Ireland:

The address to send the completed form to is on the form.

Bereavement Support Payment will not affect your benefits for a year after your first payment. After a year, any money you have left from your lump sum payment could affect the amount you get if you receive a means-tested benefit. The monthly payments do not affect any means-tested benefits or tax credits.

You must tell your benefits office (for example, your local Jobcentre Plus) when you start getting Bereavement Support Payment.

If you have any queries about an existing Bereavement Support Payment claim, you will need to contact the relevant department.

If you live in England, Scotland or Wales, contact the Bereavement Service helpline:

If you live in Northern Ireland, contact the Bereavement Service:

The benefits system can be complicated, so it’s important you have the right information and advice. Here are some organisations that can provide further support:

Our Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309 provides general information about benefits and finances. But we cannot provide information about your specific benefit claim. For all queries about your claim, you’ll need to contact the relevant government department.