We are sorry for your loss. This payment is easy to miss, and claiming late costs you money, so it is worth doing early.
Quick facts
- Higher rate
- £3,500, then up to 18 payments of £350
- Standard rate
- £2,500, then up to 18 payments of £100
- Means-tested
- No
- Claim within
- 3 months for every payment
- Your age
- Under State Pension age
- Their record
- 25 National Insurance contributions in one tax year
Who can get it — the full rules
You may qualify if your partner died on or after 6 April 2017, you were under State Pension age, and your partner had paid 25 Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions in any single tax year.
You must have been married or in a civil partnership. If you were living together without marrying, you must have been getting Child Benefit, been entitled to it for a child living with you, or been pregnant.
What you earn and what you have saved do not affect it, and neither of you needs to have been on benefits.
How much you get
- Higher rate: £3,500 first, then up to 18 monthly payments of £350. This is for people getting Child Benefit, entitled to it, or pregnant when their partner died.
- Standard rate: £2,500 first, then up to 18 monthly payments of £100.
Claim early: the deadlines cost money
To get all 18 monthly payments, claim within three months of the death. To get the first lump sum, claim within 12 months.
You can still claim up to 21 months after the death, but you will get less. Payments stop when you reach State Pension age.
How to claim
You can claim online, by phone or by post. You will need your National Insurance number, your bank details, the date of death and your partner's National Insurance number.
Common questions
How much is Bereavement Support Payment?
Up to £3,500 at first, then up to 18 monthly payments of £350, at the higher rate. The standard rate is £2,500, then up to 18 payments of £100.
Is Bereavement Support Payment means-tested?
No. What you earn or have saved does not affect it.
How long do I have to claim?
Claim within three months of the death to get all 18 monthly payments, and within 12 months to get the first lump sum.
Can I get it if we were not married?
Yes, if you lived together and were getting Child Benefit, were entitled to it for a child living with you, or were pregnant when your partner died.