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Bereavement Support Payment - What is Bereavement Support Payment?

Last reviewed 01 February 2023

What is Bereavement Support Payment?

Bereavement Support Payment is a benefit paid to widows, widowers, surviving civil partners or cohabiting partners who are bereaved on or after 6 April 2017.

It replaces Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Payment for people whose partner died on or after 6 April 2017.  

It consists of an initial lump-sum followed by up to 18 monthly instalments depending on your eligibility. 

If your partner died before 6 April 2017, you may be able to claim  Widowed Parent's Allowance instead.

The law has changed and cohabiting partners can claim Bereavement Support Payment now. Applications are open and will be backdated to 30 August 2018. See 'Can I get Bereavement Support Payment?' guide for more information.

Applies to: England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland

Age rules: You must have been under State Pension age when your partner died

Type of benefit: Non means tested

Taxable: No

Administered by: Jobcentre Plus

Updated: February 2023
 

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