Bereavement Support Payment explained
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Quick answer: Bereavement Support Payment can provide an initial payment and up to 18 monthly payments after a spouse, civil partner or qualifying cohabiting partner dies. Cohabiting survivors need the Child Benefit or pregnancy conditions as well as the general eligibility rules. Usually claim within 3 months for full entitlement.
Bereavement Support Payment replaced the older Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent's Allowance. It is not means-tested but you must meet age, relationship and NI contribution rules. This guide explains rates, deadlines and how it fits with other bereavement help.
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Content updated: 3 min read
Primary source: www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/eligibility
Who qualifies
You may qualify if you were under State Pension age when your partner died and were married, civil partners, or living together as if married. Cohabiting survivors also need the Child Benefit or pregnancy conditions. Residence and the deceased partner’s National Insurance or work-related-death conditions apply.
For a cohabiting claim, you must normally have been receiving or confirmed as entitled to Child Benefit for a child living with you, or have been pregnant when your partner died. If your partner held the Child Benefit entitlement instead, claim Child Benefit in your name before applying. Check the separate rules for a backdated claim.
Check the current GOV.UK eligibility rules, including residence, prison and backdated-claim conditions. You can still apply if you are unsure whether your partner paid enough National Insurance.
Higher and lower rates
Eligible cohabiting survivors receive the higher rate. For married or civil-partner survivors, the higher rate applies with the Child Benefit or pregnancy conditions; otherwise the lower rate applies.
The maximum higher rate is £3,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £350. The maximum lower rate is £2,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £100. Reaching State Pension age within the payment period can mean fewer monthly payments.
BSP does not affect other benefits for one year after the first payment. Any money left from that initial payment after a year can affect later benefit claims or renewals. Tell your benefits office when payments start. GOV.UK amounts and benefit interaction.
How and when to claim
Usually claim within 3 months for the one-off payment and all 18 monthly payments. Between 3 and 12 months, the one-off payment can still be paid but there are fewer monthly payments; after 12 months the one-off payment is normally lost. Claims normally close after 21 months, with limited exceptions such as a recently confirmed cause of death.
Apply online, by telephone or by post. The Bereavement Service number is 0800 151 2012. Northern Ireland has separate telephone/postal application arrangements.
Also check workplace death-in-service benefits, pensions, life insurance and Tell Us Once. Those checks do not replace a BSP application.
Common questions
Can unmarried partners claim?
For a cohabiting claim, you must normally have been receiving or confirmed as entitled to Child Benefit for a child living with you, or have been pregnant when your partner died. If your partner held the Child Benefit entitlement instead, claim Child Benefit in your name before applying. Check the separate rules for a backdated claim.
Does Bereavement Support Payment affect other benefits?
It does not affect benefits for one year after the first payment. After that, money remaining from the first payment can affect a claim or renewal. Tell your benefits office when BSP starts.
What if I am unsure about my partner’s National Insurance?
You can still apply. The Bereavement Service will check the record. A work-related accident or disease can also meet the relevant condition.