Losing a partner is devastating, and money is the last thing you want to think about — but there is financial support available. Bereavement Support Payment is a benefit from the UK government for people whose husband, wife or civil partner has died, and in some cases for unmarried partners who lived together, for example if you were pregnant or getting Child Benefit for a child living with you. This guide explains the amounts, who can claim, and why timing matters.
What is Bereavement Support Payment?
Bereavement Support Payment helps with the financial impact of losing a partner. It is made up of a first lump-sum payment followed by up to 18 monthly payments. It replaced the older Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance for deaths from April 2017.
How much is Bereavement Support Payment?
There are two rates (2026/27):
Higher rate: a £3,500 lump sum plus £350 a month for 18 months — up to £9,800 in total. This applies if, when your partner died, you were pregnant or were getting (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a child who lived with you. Eligible partners who were living together without being married always get this rate.
Standard rate: a £2,500 lump sum plus £100 a month for 18 months — up to £4,300 in total.
Who is eligible?
You may be able to claim if your husband, wife, civil partner, or a partner you lived with as if you were married died and, at the time of their death, you were under State Pension age and living in the UK (or a country that pays bereavement benefits). Your partner must have either paid enough National Insurance contributions or died because of a work-related accident or disease. If you were not married or in a civil partnership, you can usually only claim if, when your partner died, you were pregnant or were getting (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a child who lived with you. See the eligibility rules on GOV.UK.
When should you claim?
Claim as soon as you are able to. To receive the full amount (the one-off payment and all 18 monthly payments), claim within 3 months of the death. Between 3 and 12 months, you still get the one-off payment but only some of the monthly payments. Between 12 and 21 months, you lose the one-off payment but can still get some monthly payments. After 21 months you usually cannot get any payments, unless the cause of death was only recently confirmed. In that case, call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 151 2012. If you reach State Pension age within 18 months of your partner’s death, you may also get fewer monthly payments (see what you'll get on GOV.UK).
Does it affect other benefits or tax?
Bereavement Support Payment is not taxable, and it does not affect your other benefits for 12 months after your first payment. After that, any money you have left could be taken into account for means-tested benefits.
How do you claim?
Check the eligibility rules first. You can then claim online through GOV.UK, by phone on the Bereavement Service helpline (0800 151 2012), or by post using the claim form (BSP1). You will need your own and your partner’s details, including their date of death and National Insurance number.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim if we were not married?
You may be able to if you were living together as if you were married and, when your partner died, you were pregnant or were getting (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a child who lived with you. If your partner was the one getting Child Benefit, you will need to claim Child Benefit in your own name before you apply.
Is Bereavement Support Payment taxed?
No. The payments are tax-free and do not affect your other benefits for the first 12 months.
What if it has been more than 3 months?
You can still claim, but you will get fewer monthly payments, and after 12 months you can no longer get the one-off payment. The usual deadline is 21 months after the death, unless the cause of death was only recently confirmed. It is best to claim promptly.
How Solace Care can help
It is easy to miss support you are entitled to when you are grieving. Solace Care helps you keep track of the benefits, claims and deadlines that apply to your situation. Want help with the practical side after a death? Create a Solace Care account or read more guides.
