Death and bereavement benefits

Please see our Benefits advice page for advice, guidance and assistance with the full range of welfare benefits. You can also use our Benefits calculator to find out how much Housing Benefit and Council Tax Benefit you may claim.

There are a number of bereavement related benefits that you can apply to central government for. These benefits are managed and paid by central government. For more information please use the links below that take you to the relevant pages on Directgov.

Funeral Payment

If you're on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral you're arranging, you may be able to get a Funeral Payment from the Social Fund. You might have to repay some or all of it from the estate of the person who died. Find out more information including how to claim.

Bereavement Allowance

After you're widowed you may be able to claim Bereavement Allowance, the taxable weekly benefit paid to you for up to 52 weeks from the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner.

Bereavement Payment

If your husband, wife or civil partner has died you may be able to get Bereavement Payment, a one-off, lump-sum payment of £2,000 that's tax-free.

A Crisis Loan

If you need financial help with an emergency or disaster you may be able to get a Crisis Loan; the interest-free loan from the Social Fund that you pay back.

War Widow's or Widower's Pension

Is a tax-free pension you may be entitled to if your wife, husband or civil partner died as a result of their service in Her Majesty's (HM) Armed Forces or during a time of war.

Widowed Parent’s Allowance

If you’re a parent whose husband, wife or civil partner has died and you have at least one child who you receive Child Benefit for, you may be able to get Widowed Parent's Allowance (WPA).

Community Care Grant

If you need financial help to live independently in the community or to ease exceptional pressure on you and your family you may be able to get a Community Care Grant. You don't have to pay it back.