Bereavement Support Payment
Understand your entitlements and use our free eligibility checker to estimate the lump sum and monthly support available after the loss of a spouse or civil partner.
Check Your Eligibility
Answer a few simple questions to see if you qualify for Bereavement Support Payment and estimate your potential entitlement.
Eligibility Questions
Based on standard UK government criteria
Your Estimated Entitlement
Based on the information provided
Current Payment Rates
Standard Bereavement Support Payment rates in the UK. Payments are tax-free and do not affect most means-tested benefits.
| Rate Type | Eligibility Criteria | Initial Lump Sum | Monthly Payment (up to 18 months) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher Rate | You were entitled to Child Benefit when your partner died | £3,500 | £350 |
| Standard Rate | You were not entitled to Child Benefit | £2,500 | £100 |
Bereavement Support FAQ
Everything you need to know about claiming and managing Bereavement Support Payment.
Bereavement Support Payment is a welfare benefit in the UK for people whose husband, wife, or civil partner died. It replaced the old Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance, and Bereavement Payment for deaths occurring on or after 6 April 2017.
There are two rates. The higher rate (if you were entitled to Child Benefit) is an initial lump sum of £3,500 and up to 18 monthly payments of £350. The standard rate is an initial lump sum of £2,500 and up to 18 monthly payments of £100.
You must claim within 3 months of your partner’s death to receive the full 18 monthly payments. You can still claim up to 21 months after their death, but you will receive fewer monthly payments and no backdated payments for the months prior to your claim.
No, Bereavement Support Payment is entirely tax-free. It also does not count as income for most means-tested benefits, though the initial lump sum may be treated as capital if you still have it after 52 weeks.