Bereavement Benefits
What is it?
Bereavement benefits may be payable on the death of a husband, wife or civil partner. There are three different types:
- Bereavement Payment is a lump sum paid to people who have been bereaved
- Widowed Parent's Allowance is a weekly benefit paid to bereaved parents. It cannot be paid as well as Bereavement Allowance, but it can be paid after entitlement to Bereavement Allowance ends
- Bereavement Allowance is a weekly benefit paid to people who have been bereaved. It is paid for up to 52 weeks.
In general, Bereavement Payment counts as capital and Widowed Parent's Allowance count as income for means-tested benefits. However, some benefit income is disregarded when calculating entitlement.
Do I qualify?
You can only qualify for bereavement benefits if your late husband, wife or civil partner had either paid sufficient national insurance contributions, or died as a result of an industrial accident or disease.
Your entitlement is not affected by any income or savings that you have.
Time limits - You must claim a bereavement payment or bereavement allowance within 12 months of the death of your spouse of civil partner.
Age limits - You must usually be under pension age to claim any bereavement benefits (there are some exceptions). To qualify for Bereavement Allowance you must be at least 45 years old at the time of your spouse's or civil partner's death.
Children - To qualify for Widowed Parent's Allowance you must be entitled to child benefit for at least one child, or you were pregnant at the time of your spouse's or civil partner's death. The child must usually have been living with you and/or been your partner's (there are some exceptions).
For an easy way to find out which benefits might apply to you and your circumstances go to What can I claim?
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
How much is it?
- Bereavement Payment (lump sum) = £2000.00
- Widowed Parent's Allowance = £90.70 per week
- Widowed Parent's Allownace - Child Dependent = £11.34 per week
- Bereavement Allowance - aged 45-54 = £84.35 per week
- Bereavement Allowance - aged 55 to pension age = £90.70 per week
The amounts of Widowed Parents Allowance and Bereavement Allowance can be reduced if your spouse's or civil partner's national contribution record was incomplete.
How do I apply?
Contact Jobcentre Plus or our Benefits Maximisation Service to see if you qualify for one of these benefits.
More information can be found in the DWP leaflet 'If you are Widowed or your Civil Partner Dies' (99 kb).
You can download a Bereavement Benefit claim form here The form comes with notes to help you complete it.
For an easy way to find out which benefits might apply to you and your circumstances go to What can I claim?
The Benefits Maximisation Service can provide personal advice on what you may be entitled to and help you make a claim. For more information go to Benefits Maximisation Service.
What if I am not satisfied with the decision?
If you are refused benefit you can write asking for a revision within one month from the date on the decision. This means that a different Decision Maker will look at your claim again.
It is very important that you reply within one month, as you may not be able to challenge the decision otherwise.
If you are still unsatisfied once the revision has taken place you can ask to have your case heard by an independent appeal tribunal. This usually has to be on a form called a GL24, which is available from any DWP office. You can also ask the DWP to post one to you. Again, you must make your appeal within one month of the date of the revision.
Our Benefit Maximisation Service can help you with revisions and appeals.
What if my circumstances change?
Your entitlement to Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance ends if you enter into another marriage or civil partnership. Your entitlement is suspended if you start to live with someone as if you were married or in a civil partnership, but benefit can be paid again if you stop living with them.
You should inform the DWP if you marry, form a civil partnership or live with someone as if you were married or in a civil partnership.
Disclaimer
Although every effort is made to ensure the information on these pages is accurate and up to date, it should not be treated as a complete and authoritative statement of the law.