Bereavement Support Payment is a less well known benefit that may be available for those that have sadly lost a partner. This has replaced the benefits of Widowed Parent’s Allowance, Bereavement Payment and Bereavement Allowance previously known as Widow’s Pension.
Eligibility
Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested, so how much you earn or the amount of your savings will not affect entitlement. In order to be eligible to claim, when your partner died you must have been under the state pension age, living in the UK, and married to your partner, in a civil partnership or living together as if you were married. Your partner must have either paid sufficient national insurance contributions or died from an accident at work or industrial disease.
When to claim
A claim for bereavement support payment needs to be made within 21 months from the date of your partner’s death, or possibly later if the death was only recently confirmed. Although the claim can be made up to 21 months, a claim needs to be made in the first 3 months in order to receive the full entitlement.
If you fall into the category of living together as partners as if you were married, a claim for Bereavement Support Payment can only be made if you were also entitled to receive Child Benefit for a child that lived with you or if you were pregnant when your partner died.
Amount payable
The amount of Bereavement Support Payment you will receive depends on your relationship to the deceased, when a claim is made and when you will reach state pension age.
If you were married, in a registered civil partnership, or living together as if you were married, you will be entitled to the higher rate provided you were entitled to receive Child Benefit for a child that lived with you or you were pregnant when your partner died. The higher rate is currently (April 2024) a one-off payment of £3,500 and 18 monthly payments of £350. If you were married or in a civil partnership without entitlement to Child Benefit or being pregnant, the lower rate applies which is currently (April 2024) a one-off payment of £2,500 and 18 monthly payments of £100. You must make your claim within 3 months of the death to receive the lump sum payment and all of the monthly payments.
How to claim
Bereavement Support Payment is not paid automatically. You need to apply either online, by telephone or by post.
We are able to offer advice and guidance on Probate and estate administration. For further information please email jcowdrey@anthonyking.co.uk or call to speak to one of our team who will be happy to assist you.