What is Bereavement Support Payment?

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a benefit for people whose spouse or civil partner has died. It provides a lump sum of £2,500-£3,500 followed by up to 18 monthly payments of £100-£350. The higher rate applies if you have dependent children. You must claim within 21 months of the death.

Do I have to be married to claim bereavement benefits?

You must have been married or in a civil partnership. Cohabiting partners (unmarried) are not eligible for Bereavement Support Payment, even if they lived together for many years or have children together. This is a significant gap in the system.

Is Bereavement Support Payment taxable?

No. Bereavement Support Payment is completely tax-free and does not count as income for Universal Credit or other means-tested benefits.

Bereavement Benefits Guide UK — Financial Support After a Death | PocketWise

Losing a partner is devastating, and financial worries should not add to that burden. Several forms of support are available in the UK — though you often need to know about them and claim within specific timeframes.

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP)

The main bereavement benefit, available since April 2017, replacing the older Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent’s Allowance, and Bereavement Payment.

Eligibility

Requirement	Detail
Relationship	Married or in a civil partnership (cohabiting does not qualify)
Your age	Under State Pension age at the time of death
Partner’s NI record	Must have paid NI contributions (at least 25 weeks, or died from a work-related condition)
Claim deadline	Within 21 months of death (full rate if within 3 months)

Payment Rates (2025/26)

Rate	Lump Sum	Monthly Payment	Duration
Higher rate (with dependent children)	£3,500	£350/month	18 months
Standard rate (no dependent children)	£2,500	£100/month	18 months

Total Payments

Rate	Lump Sum + 18 Monthly	Total
Higher rate	£3,500 + (18 × £350)	£9,800
Standard rate	£2,500 + (18 × £100)	£4,300

When to Claim

Claim Made	Amount
Within 3 months of death	Full entitlement (lump sum + all 18 monthly payments)
3–21 months after death	Lump sum + remaining monthly payments (some lost)
After 21 months	Cannot claim

Claim as soon as possible to receive the maximum amount.

Funeral Expenses Payment

If you cannot afford funeral costs and receive certain means-tested benefits:

Feature	Detail
Who can claim	Person responsible for funeral costs, on qualifying benefits
Qualifying benefits	Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, Working Tax Credit (with disability/severe disability element)
What it covers	Burial or cremation fees, up to £1,000 for other costs, travel costs
Repayment	May need to be repaid from the deceased’s estate
Claim deadline	Within 6 months of the funeral

Other Support Available

Financial

Support	Detail
Tell Us Once service	Notifies multiple government departments of the death in one go
Widowed Parent’s Allowance	If claimed before April 2017 (existing claims continue)
Pension Credit	If over State Pension age, you may now qualify
Partner’s State Pension	You may inherit part of your partner’s State Pension
Partner’s workplace pension	Check for survivor benefits and death-in-service payments
Life insurance	Check for any policies
Mortgage protection	May pay off the mortgage

Practical

Task	Action
Register the death	Within 5 days (England/Wales), 8 days (Scotland)
Use Tell Us Once	Register the death and use this service at the same time
Notify banks and financial institutions	Freeze joint accounts, close sole accounts
Check for a will	Contact solicitor if one exists
Apply for probate/letters of administration	If dealing with the estate

Impact on Benefits

Situation	Effect
BSP and Universal Credit	BSP does not count as income — no effect on UC
BSP and Tax Credits	No effect
BSP and Pension Credit	No effect
Other inherited money	May affect means-tested benefits if savings exceed thresholds
Bereavement and work	No statutory bereavement leave (most employers offer 3–5 days)

Checklist After a Bereavement

Priority	Action
Immediate	Register death; use Tell Us Once; arrange funeral
Within 1 week	Notify bank, mortgage lender, utility companies
Within 1 month	Claim BSP; check life insurance; notify employer/pension provider
Within 3 months	Claim BSP (full rate window); apply for probate if needed
Within 6 months	Claim Funeral Expenses Payment (if applicable)
Ongoing	Review budget, check benefit entitlements, get financial advice if needed

Getting Help

Organisation	How They Help
Cruse Bereavement Support	Free counselling and support (0808 808 1677)
Citizens Advice	Benefits advice, practical help
MoneyHelper	Financial guidance after bereavement (0800 138 7777)
Tell Us Once	gov.uk/tell-us-once

For related financial planning, see our state pension guide and state benefits overview.