Losing a husband, wife or civil partner is one of the most difficult experiences anyone can face. Alongside coping with grief, many people suddenly have to deal with financial worries and changes to household income.
Bereavement Support Payment is a Government benefit that provides financial support to eligible people after the death of their spouse or civil partner. The payment is designed to help with some of the immediate financial pressures that often follow a bereavement.
This guide explains exactly what Bereavement Support Payment is, who can claim it, how much you could receive, how to apply and what support may also be available.
Bereavement Support Payment is a tax free Government benefit paid to eligible people whose husband, wife or civil partner has died. It consists of an initial lump sum followed by monthly payments for up to 18 months if the qualifying conditions are met. Eligibility depends on your relationship, where you live and whether your late partner paid enough National Insurance contributions or died because of a work related accident or disease.
Bereavement Support Payment helps reduce the financial impact of losing a spouse or civil partner. It replaced several older bereavement benefits for most new claims and provides short term financial support while families adjust to changed circumstances.
The payment can help cover everyday living expenses, household bills, childcare costs and other essential spending during a particularly difficult period.
Unlike many other benefits, Bereavement Support Payment is not based on your earnings or employment status.
| Feature | Information |
|---|---|
| Benefit type | Tax free bereavement benefit |
| Paid by | Department for Work and Pensions |
| Means tested | No |
| Based on income | No |
| Based on savings | No |
| Monthly payments | Up to 18 months |
| Lump sum included | Yes if eligible |
You may qualify if your husband, wife or civil partner has died and both you and your late partner meet the qualifying conditions.
In most cases you must have been legally married or in a registered civil partnership when your partner died.
You may qualify if:
Living together without being married or in a civil partnership does not automatically qualify someone, although some legal changes have extended eligibility in certain circumstances involving dependent children. Individual situations should always be checked carefully.
Eligibility depends on several important factors.
You must usually have been:
Certain unmarried parents with dependent children may qualify under updated legislation where specific conditions are met.
Normally your late partner must have:
Residence rules can vary depending on:
No.
Bereavement Support Payment is not means tested.
This means your income generally does not affect whether you qualify.
For example:
| Income Situation | Effect |
| Working full time | Usually no effect |
| Self employed | Usually no effect |
| Receiving pension | Usually no effect |
| Receiving benefits | May affect other benefits but not Bereavement Support Payment itself |
Although your income does not normally affect Bereavement Support Payment, receiving it could influence entitlement to some income related benefits. If you receive multiple benefits, it is worth checking how they interact.
No.
Your savings are not taken into account.
Whether you have:
your savings alone do not prevent you from receiving Bereavement Support Payment if you meet the qualifying conditions.
The amount depends on whether you are entitled to the higher rate or the standard rate.
Payments normally include:
The Government reviews benefit rates periodically, so payment amounts may change.
| Rate | Initial Payment | Monthly Payments |
| Higher rate | Higher lump sum | Higher monthly payment for up to 18 months |
| Standard rate | Lower lump sum | Lower monthly payment for up to 18 months |
The higher rate generally applies where there are dependent children or where certain qualifying conditions are met.
Payments are tax free and usually do not count towards the Benefit Cap.
You should apply as soon as reasonably possible after your partner dies.
Claims can normally be made:
Applying promptly is important because waiting too long could reduce the amount you receive.
| Step | Action |
| Step 1 | Gather required documents |
| Step 2 | Complete the application |
| Step 3 | Submit supporting information if requested |
| Step 4 | Wait for a decision |
| Step 5 | Receive payment if your claim is successful |
Having the correct documents can make the application process much quicker.
You may need:
Sometimes additional evidence may be requested depending on your circumstances.
Many claims are delayed because important information is missing.
Common mistakes include:
Checking your application carefully before submission can help avoid unnecessary delays.
Sarah’s husband dies unexpectedly.
He had paid sufficient National Insurance contributions throughout his working life.
Sarah is below State Pension age and has two dependent children.
She qualifies for Bereavement Support Payment and receives the higher rate.
David loses his wife.
They were legally married and both lived in England.
His wife met the National Insurance contribution conditions.
David successfully claims Bereavement Support Payment and receives the standard rate because there are no dependent children.
Emma and her partner lived together but were not married.
Following changes in the law, Emma checks whether she qualifies because they had dependent children together.
Her eligibility depends on her individual circumstances and the current legislation, highlighting why it is important not to assume you are automatically excluded.
It can.
Although Bereavement Support Payment itself is not means tested, receiving it may affect certain income related benefits depending on your personal circumstances.
Examples include:
Each case is assessed individually.
Yes.
You should inform the Department for Work and Pensions if relevant circumstances change.
Examples include:
Keeping your information up to date helps avoid payment delays or overpayments.
Bereavement Support Payment is only one form of financial assistance.
Depending on your circumstances you may also qualify for:
| Benefit or Support | Purpose |
| Universal Credit | Help with everyday living costs |
| Child Benefit | Financial support for children |
| Council Tax Reduction | Help with council tax bills |
| Housing Benefit | Housing support for some households |
| Pension Credit | Extra income for qualifying pensioners |
| Funeral Expenses Payment | Help towards funeral costs for eligible people |
| Budgeting Advance | Short term financial assistance through Universal Credit in certain situations |
You may also wish to seek independent debt advice if your household finances have changed significantly.
Always check the latest Government guidance before making financial decisions.
Useful official resources include information on:
These resources are updated whenever benefit rules change.
This article has been reviewed against current UK Government guidance relating to Bereavement Support Payment.
Every effort has been made to ensure the information is accurate, easy to understand and reflects the latest publicly available guidance at the time of writing.
Because benefit legislation can change, readers should always confirm their individual circumstances using official Government information before submitting a claim.
It is a tax free Government benefit that provides financial support after the death of a spouse or civil partner for eligible people.
No. Payments are generally tax free.
No. Your income and savings are not normally taken into account.
Eligible claimants receive an initial payment followed by monthly payments for up to 18 months.
Yes. Employment does not usually prevent you from qualifying if you meet the eligibility rules.
No. Savings are not normally considered.
Some unmarried people with dependent children may qualify under updated legislation, depending on their circumstances.
Yes, provided the relevant National Insurance contribution conditions or other qualifying rules are met.
Eligibility depends on the rules that applied when your partner died and your circumstances at that time.
You can ask for the decision to be looked at again if you believe it is incorrect. You may also have the right to appeal.
You should apply as soon as possible after the death to avoid losing entitlement to payments that may not be backdated in full.
Bereavement Support Payment provides valuable financial assistance to eligible people following the death of a husband, wife or civil partner. While it cannot remove the emotional impact of bereavement, it can ease some of the financial pressures during an exceptionally difficult time.
Understanding the eligibility rules, applying promptly and providing the correct documentation can help ensure your claim is processed as quickly as possible. Remember that this payment is separate from many other benefits and is not based on your income or savings.
If you are unsure whether you qualify, it is always worth checking your circumstances rather than assuming you are not entitled.
Benefits Advice UK provides free information to help people better understand the UK benefits system. Always check the latest Government guidance before making financial decisions.
Information on this site is based on official UK guidance.
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