Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a non-means-tested payment from the DWP for the surviving spouse, civil partner, or cohabiting partner of someone whose National Insurance contributions made them eligible. It replaced Widowed Parent's Allowance, Bereavement Allowance, and Bereavement Payment in 2017. [source: gov-uk/bereavement-support-payment-2026-04-29.html]

The payment has two rates. The higher rate pays a one-off lump sum of £3,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £350 (total £9,800), and applies if the survivor was getting Child Benefit at the time of death, was entitled to Child Benefit for a resident child, or was pregnant. The lower rate pays a one-off £2,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £100 (total £4,300), and applies otherwise. Cohabiting partners ("living together as if married") qualify for the higher rate on the same terms. [source: gov-uk/bereavement-support-payment-what-youll-get-2026-04-29.html]

Eligibility requires the survivor to have been under State Pension age when the partner died, married or in a civil partnership or cohabiting, and resident in the UK or in a country that pays bereavement benefits. The deceased must have paid a minimum level of Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance, or have died because of an industrial accident or disease. The payment is not means-tested; earnings and savings do not affect entitlement. [source: gov-uk/bereavement-support-payment-eligibility-2026-04-29.html]

The 3-month claim window matters. Claims made within 3 months of the death receive the full lump sum and all 18 monthly payments. Claims made later still receive the lump sum (subject to a backstop of 21 months) but lose monthly payments for the months that have already elapsed. The single most common reason families miss out is not knowing the payment exists in the first place. [source: gov-uk/bereavement-support-payment-what-youll-get-2026-04-29.html]

Claims are made online via gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment or by phoning the Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012. [source: gov-uk/bereavement-support-payment-how-to-claim-2026-04-29.html]

→ Stopping benefits after a death

Last verified: 29 April 2026 against gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment.