If your husband, wife, civil partner or partner has died, you may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment. It's a one-off payment followed by monthly payments for 18 months. It isn't means-tested, so it doesn't matter how much you earn or have saved.
Try to claim within three months
If you claim within three months of the death, you get the full amount. If you leave it longer, you lose the one-off payment and receive fewer monthly payments.
Who can claim
You may be able to claim if, when your partner died:
- you were married to them, in a civil partnership with them, or living with them as if you were married
- you were under State Pension age
- you were living in the UK, or in a country that pays bereavement benefits
- they had paid National Insurance contributions in at least one tax year since 6 April 1975 - or they died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by their work
If you weren't married or in a civil partnership
You can still claim, as long as when your partner died you were getting Child Benefit for a child who lived with you, were entitled to it, or were pregnant.
You can't claim while you're in prison.
How much you get
Higher rate
A one-off payment of £3,500, then 18 monthly payments of £350.
You get the higher rate if you were getting, or entitled to, Child Benefit for a child who lived with you, or if you were pregnant. Partners who lived together without being married also receive the higher rate.
Lower rate
A one-off payment of £2,500, then 18 monthly payments of £100.
This is for married couples and civil partners who don't meet the conditions for the higher rate.
Time limits
Within 3 months
Of the death - you get the full amount.
After 3 months
You lose the one-off payment and get fewer monthly payments.
After 21 months
You can no longer claim.
If you're over State Pension age
You can't get Bereavement Support Payment. Depending on your circumstances, you may be able to inherit part of your partner's State Pension. Contact the Pension Service to check.
What happened to Bereavement Allowance?
Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance and the one-off Bereavement Payment were all replaced by Bereavement Support Payment in April 2017. If you were already receiving Widowed Parent's Allowance, you'll keep getting it for as long as you remain eligible.
How to claim
You claim through the Department for Work and Pensions. The phone number and claim form are on GOV.UK: gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment/how-to-claim
If you use the Tell Us Once service when you register the death, it can let the DWP know for you.
Reviewed by the Arranging a Funeral team - September 2026. Figures checked against GOV.UK.
Common questions
Who can get Bereavement Support Payment?
People whose husband, wife, civil partner or partner has died, if they were under State Pension age and the person had paid National Insurance for at least one tax year since 6 April 1975, or died because of an accident or disease caused by their work.
How much is Bereavement Support Payment?
The higher rate is a one-off £3,500, then 18 monthly payments of £350. The lower rate is a one-off £2,500, then 18 monthly payments of £100.
How long do I have to claim?
Claim within 3 months of the death to get the full amount. After 21 months you can no longer claim.
Can I claim if we weren't married?
Yes, if you lived together and, when your partner died, you were getting or entitled to Child Benefit for a child who lived with you, or you were pregnant.
Is it means-tested?
No. It doesn't matter how much you earn or have saved.
What happened to Bereavement Allowance?
Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance and the Bereavement Payment were replaced by Bereavement Support Payment in April 2017.