Bereavement Support Payment

Money may be the last thing on your mind if you are mourning the loss of a partner. However, if you are recently bereaved or are in a position where you are having to plan for life after your partner’s death, it’s worth being aware of the Bereavement Support Payment.

The Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a benefit that can be awarded to people under state pension age if their husband, wife or civil partner dies.

As of 9 February 2023, the Government has extended the eligibility criteria to cohabiting parents with dependent children. This means that a couple with children do not need to be married to qualify for Bereavement Support Payment if one of them dies.

You may also be eligible for the Funeral Expenses Payment.

How much is the Bereavement Support Payment?

There are two rates for the Bereavement Support Payment. Which you are eligible for depends on your circumstances.

Higher rate

If you are eligible for Child Benefit, whether you actually claim it or not, you will receive the higher rate. This is:

• An initial payment of £3500
• Up to 18 monthly payments of £350

You might also get the higher rate if you were pregnant when your partner died.

Lower rate

If you are not eligible for Child Benefit, you will receive the lower rate. This is:

• An initial payment of £2500
• Up to 18 monthly payments of £100

These payments are not taxed.

Am I eligible for the Bereavement Support Payment?

BSP is not means tested, so you may be eligible regardless of your income, capital or assets. That said, there criteria both you and your deceased partner must meet.

You and your partner must:

• Have been married or in a civil partnership
• Or have been cohabiting parents who:
  • Are eligible for Child Benefit, even if you didn’t claim it
  • One of you was pregnant when the other died

Your partner must have:

• Died on or after 6 April 2017. If they died before this, you may still be able to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance if you are eligible for child benefit and you and your partner were still together (or separated but still legally married and you did not live with a new partner) when they died.
• Have either:
  • Paid National Insurance for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since April 1975 (in Northern Ireland, they must have paid a minimum of 25 Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions).
  • Died due to an accident that they had while at work or directly because of a disease that was caused by work. It is not stipulated whether this includes mental health issues, so make sure to call the Bereavement Service helpline if you are unsure of your eligibility. In Northern Ireland, this includes if they were left disabled and unable to work due to an accident at work.

In addition, the criteria that you must meet include:

• You were under State Pension age when your partner died or 
• You were living in the UK or another country that pays bereavement benefits when your partner died. Qualifying countries include:
  • EEA countries, including Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Republic of Cyrpus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden.
  • Switzerland or Gibraltar
  • Non EEA countries, including Barbados, Bosnia and Herzegovina, the Channel Islands, Israel, Jamaica, Kosovo, Macedonia. Montenegro, New Zealand, the Philippines, Serbia, Turkey, the USA.
• You’re not in prison.

How to apply for the Bereavement Support Payment

When to apply

It’s important to apply as soon as possible after your husband, wife or civil partner’s death. Each month you wait could affect how much money you could receive.

• To receive the full amount that you are eligible for, including the first payment and the monthly payments, you must apply within 3 months of your partner’s death.
• To receive the first payment at all, you must apply within 12 months of your partner’s death.
• You can apply up to 21 months after your partner’s death, but you will receive fewer monthly payments the later you leave it.
• If your partner’s cause of death was confirmed more than 21 months after they died, you may still be eligible.

How to apply

To apply by phone

• If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales call the Bereavement Service helpline: 0800 731 0469
• If you’re in Northern Ireland, call the International Pension Centre: +44 (0) 191 219 7608
• If you want to speak in Welsh: 0800 731 0453
• Bereavement Service helpline textphone: 0800 731 0464
• Welsh language textphone: 0800 731 0456

To apply online

If you’re in England, Scotland or Wales, download and complete this form.

Then send it to:
Bereavement Support Payment
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 2BS

If you live in Northern Ireland, download and complete this form.

Then send it to:
Bereavement Support Payment
Mail Opening Unit
PO Box 42
Limavady
BT49 4AN

You will need to know your partner’s National Insurance number and date of death to complete the forms.

If you claim benefits, you must declare that you have started getting Bereavement Support Payment.