Financial support if your husband, wife, civil partner or cohabiting partner has died and you're under State Pension age.
Many people who are entitled to support never claim it. Check who qualifies, how much you could get and how to make your claim through the official channel.
The rules depend on where you live in the UK and on your household’s circumstances.
What Bereavement Support Payment offers
- Not means-tested: Your earnings and savings don't affect it.
- Cohabiting partners: Available to people who lived together as if married.
- Tax-free: Payments are not taxed.
- Ignored by other benefits: It is not counted as income for most benefits for the first 12 months.
| Feature | Detail |
|---|---|
| Who can get it | People under State Pension age whose partner died and paid enough National Insurance or died due to work |
| Higher rate | £3,500 lump sum plus 18 monthly payments of £350 (usually if you get Child Benefit or were pregnant) |
| Standard rate | £2,500 lump sum plus 18 monthly payments of £100 |
| How to claim | Phone the Bereavement Service or use the paper form |
| Time limit | Usually claim within 21 months of the death; claim within 3 months to get the full amount |
Key points
Not means-tested: Your earnings and savings don't affect it.
Cohabiting partners: Available to people who lived together as if married.
Tax-free: Payments are not taxed.
About Department for Work and Pensions
Bereavement Support Payment is run by Department for Work and Pensions. Claims are made free of charge through the official government channel.
We explain the rules independently and then send you to the official page to claim. We are not a government website.
Amounts and rules can change. The decision on your claim is made by Department for Work and Pensions.