Bereavement Support Payment Guide UK (Eligibility, Amounts 2026)

What Is Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment is a social security benefit designed to provide immediate financial support after the death of a partner. It is made up of two parts: a one-off lump sum paid shortly after the claim is approved, and up to 18 monthly payments paid in arrears. The total value depends on whether you have dependent children and on your late partner's National Insurance (NI) contribution record. BSP is tax-free and does not count as income for most means-tested benefits. It does not affect your Universal Credit or Housing Benefit entitlement. However, you cannot claim BSP if you are pregnant by your late partner and the baby is born alive — you may be entitled to a higher rate. BSP is available whether or not you were financially dependent on your partner, as long as they paid enough NI contributions. If your partner died because of an industrial accident or disease, you may also be entitled to Industrial Death Benefit separately.

Who Is Eligible for Bereavement Support Payment

You qualify for BSP if: you were married, in a civil partnership, or living with your partner as if you were married or civil partners (cohabiting) at the time of their death; your partner died on or after 6 April 2017; your partner paid enough National Insurance contributions in any one tax year since 1976 (this is usually satisfied if they worked for at least 26 weeks in a year); and you were under State Pension age when your partner died. For cohabiting couples, additional rules apply: you must have been living together for at least 2 years immediately before the death, and you must have been in an exclusive relationship (not married or in a civil partnership with anyone else). If you are over State Pension age when your partner dies, you cannot claim BSP but may qualify for Bereavement Allowance instead (for those born before 6 April 1945) or Pension Credit. You can claim regardless of your own income, savings, or employment status. If you remarry or form a new civil partnership before the 18 monthly payments end, the remaining instalments stop. There is no entitlement if your partner died while you were separated or divorced. Check your late partner's NI record by contacting HMRC if you are unsure whether they paid enough contributions.

How Much Bereavement Support Payment You Get 2026

BSP is paid in two categories — standard rate (no dependent children) and higher rate (with dependent children). The 2026/27 rates are:

• Standard rate (no children): Lump sum of £2,500 plus up to 18 monthly payments of £100 = total of £4,300.
• Higher rate (with children): Lump sum of £3,500 plus up to 18 monthly payments of £350 = total of £9,800.

You are eligible for the higher rate if you are entitled to Child Benefit for a child under 20 who is in full-time non-advanced education or training, or if you were pregnant at the time of your partner's death. The lump sum is paid within about 4–6 weeks of a successful claim. Monthly payments are paid into your bank account on the same day each month. If you claim late (more than 3 months after the death), you lose one monthly instalment for each month you are late, up to a maximum of 12 months to claim. The lump sum is still paid in full if you claim within 12 months. BSP rates are reviewed annually but the amounts have not changed since 2017. Use the gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment calculator to estimate your entitlement. For comparison, the old Widowed Parent's Allowance (for deaths before April 2017) paid higher ongoing amounts — see our State Pension guide → for related bereavement benefits.

How to Claim Bereavement Support Payment

You can claim BSP online at gov.uk or by using the BSP claim line (0800 151 2012). You will need: your National Insurance number, your late partner's National Insurance number, your bank or building society account details, and the date of death. You do not need the death certificate to start the claim, but you will need to provide it later. If you are claiming as a cohabiting partner, you must also provide evidence of your living arrangements — typically a joint tenancy agreement, joint bank statements, council tax bills showing both names, or utility bills. The claim form asks for details about your relationship and any children. You should also have your late partner's marriage or civil partnership certificate ready if applicable. Claims can be backdated by up to 12 months from the date of death, but the monthly instalments are reduced for late claims. If you are already receiving Universal Credit or other benefits, tell your work coach or case manager about the death — they can help you update your claim and check if Bereavement Support Payment affects your award. Processing usually takes 2–4 weeks. If you need help with the application, contact Citizens Advice or a welfare rights adviser. For bereavement support more generally, Cruse Bereavement Support (0808 808 1677) offers free emotional support.

Bereavement Support Payment and Other Benefits

BSP is not means-tested and does not count as income for calculating Universal Credit, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction, or Pension Credit. This means you can receive BSP in full alongside these benefits without any reduction. However, if you were receiving benefits before your partner died, their death may change your entitlement — for example, you may move from a joint Universal Credit claim to a single claim, which could change your payment. BSP does not affect Child Benefit or Child Tax Credit. The lump sum and monthly payments are also ignored by the Benefit Cap. If your late partner was receiving Carer's Allowance for caring for you, this will stop on their death. You may be entitled to additional support such as a Bereavement Grant from your local authority for funeral costs, or a Social Fund Funeral Payment (an interest-free loan from the DWP to cover funeral expenses). BSP does not affect any private pension lump sums or life insurance payouts you receive. Use a benefits calculator on gov.uk or entitledto.co.uk to check what other support you may be entitled to after your partner's death.

If You Were Already Getting Benefits Before Your Partner Died

If you were already receiving means-tested benefits before your partner died, their death will trigger a change of circumstances that you must report to the DWP. For Universal Credit, you move from a joint claim to a single claim. Your standard allowance, housing element, and any other elements will be recalculated. You should report the death within 1 month to avoid overpayments. If you were receiving Housing Benefit or Council Tax Reduction, the single person discount (25% council tax reduction) may apply once your partner has died. If you received Carer's Allowance for caring for your partner, that will stop — but you may be able to reclaim it if you care for someone else. If you were getting Income Support or Employment and Support Allowance as a couple, you will need to update your claim. Bereavement Support Payment itself does not reduce these benefits, but the change in your household circumstances might. Child Tax Credit and Working Tax Credit will also need to be updated via HMRC. Contact all relevant benefit offices promptly — the Tell Us Once service (run by gov.uk) can notify DWP, HMRC, DVLA, and your local council about the death in a single step, simplifying the process significantly.

FAQs

Can cohabiting partners claim Bereavement Support Payment?

Yes. Since 2017, cohabiting partners who lived together for at least 2 years immediately before the death and were in an exclusive relationship can claim. You will need evidence of cohabitation such as joint tenancy, joint bills, or council tax records.

What if my partner did not pay enough National Insurance?

If your late partner did not have enough NI contributions, you cannot get BSP. However, you may still qualify for means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or Housing Benefit based on your own circumstances.

What happens if I remarry while receiving BSP?

If you remarry or form a new civil partnership before the 18-month payment period ends, the remaining monthly instalments stop. The lump sum is yours to keep regardless. You do not need to repay anything already received.

Can I claim BSP if I am over State Pension age?

No — BSP is only for people under State Pension age when their partner dies. If you are over pension age, you may qualify for Pension Credit or other bereavement support instead. The old Bereavement Allowance for over-45s was abolished in 2017.

How long do I have to claim Bereavement Support Payment?

You have up to 12 months from the date of death to claim. To get the full 18 monthly payments, claim within 3 months. Claiming later reduces the monthly instalments by one for each month you are late. The lump sum is paid in full if you claim within 12 months.