United Kingdom Bereavement Support Payment
Bereavement Support Payment has higher and lower rates and a strict time limit for claiming. The one-off payment and monthly instalments usually cannot be paid if a claim is made more than 21 months after the death.
- Higher rate one-off payment
- £3,500.
- Higher rate monthly payment
- £350 per month for up to 18 months.
- Lower rate one-off payment
- £2,500.
- Lower rate monthly payment
- £100 per month for up to 18 months.
- Full-claim time limit
- 3 months from the date of death.
- Final time limit
- 21 months after the death.
The two rates
GOV.UK states that the higher rate applies when, at the time of death, the claimant was married or in a civil partnership and either receiving Child Benefit for a child living with them, was told they were entitled to Child Benefit for such a child, or was pregnant. The higher rate is £3,500 as a one-off payment plus £350 per month for up to 18 months. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
For a claimant who was married or in a civil partnership, the lower rate applies when the higher-rate conditions are not met. It is £2,500 as a one-off payment plus £100 per month for up to 18 months. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
A claimant who was living with the partner as if married can get at most a one-off payment of £3,500 and 18 monthly payments of £350. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
The time limits
GOV.UK states that to receive the one-off payment and all 18 monthly instalments, a claim must be made within 3 months of the partner's death. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
If more than 3 but fewer than 12 months have passed since the death, the one-off payment and some monthly instalments can still be claimed. After 12 but within 21 months, only some monthly instalments can be claimed. After 21 months, no payment can normally be claimed. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
Reaching State Pension age
GOV.UK states that if the claimant reaches State Pension age within 18 months of the partner's death, they may receive fewer monthly payments. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
Effect on other benefits
GOV.UK states that Bereavement Support Payment will not affect other benefits for a year after the first payment. After that year, money remaining from the one-off payment could affect benefit amounts. GOV.UK, Bereavement Support Payment (opens in a new tab).
Scope
This is general information adapted from government material under the Open Government Licence v3.0, without endorsement or a recommendation. It does not assess individual entitlement or liability. No matching calculator or worked example is available here.