Bereavement Benefits: Every Payment You Can Claim
When someone dies, a range of financial support is available from the government and other organisations. Many people never claim what they are fully entitled to, either because they do not know it exists or because the paperwork feels too much to deal with at a difficult time. This guide covers every benefit, who qualifies, and how to claim.
A note before you begin: You have earned these benefits through National Insurance contributions made over a working lifetime. There is no shame in claiming what you are entitled to. These payments exist precisely for moments like this, and claiming them is the sensible thing to do.
Quick eligibility check
Find your situation below to jump to the right benefit.
Did your spouse or civil partner die?
Bereavement Support Payment
Up to £3,500 + £350/month
Spouse/civil partner under State Pension age
Are you on means-tested benefits?
Funeral Expenses Payment
Up to £1,000 + burial/cremation fees
Universal Credit, Pension Credit, and others
Did a child under 18 die?
Children's Funeral Fund
Burial/cremation fees covered
No means test. England only.
Are you now caring for orphaned children?
Guardian's Allowance
£21.75 per week, per child
Both parents must have died
Has your income dropped significantly?
Pension Credit or Universal Credit
Varies by income and circumstances
Depends on age and income
Did someone die serving in the armed forces?
War Pension / AFCS
Lump sum and ongoing pension
Widows, widowers, dependants
Bereavement Support Payment
Key benefitThis is the main financial support for people who have lost a spouse or civil partner. It replaced the old Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance in 2017.
Higher rate (with children)
£3,500 lump sum
+ £350/month for 18 months
Standard rate (no children)
£2,500 lump sum
+ £100/month for 18 months
Who qualifies: You must have been married to or in a civil partnership with the person who died. You must be under State Pension age. Your partner must have paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks, or died as a result of a work-related accident or disease.
Time limit: You must claim within 21 months of the death. Claim within 3 months to receive the full 18 monthly payments.
How to claim: Call 0800 731 0469 or apply online at gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment. You will need the death certificate and your National Insurance number.
Tax status: Not taxable. Not counted as income for Universal Credit for the first 12 months.
Funeral Expenses Payment
If you are on certain means-tested benefits, the government can help with funeral costs. This does not cover the full cost of a funeral, but it covers the most significant expenses.
What is covered
- Burial or cremation fees in full
- Up to £1,000 towards other funeral expenses (funeral director fees, coffin, etc.)
- Travel costs to arrange or attend the funeral
- Death certificates
Who qualifies: You must be receiving Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, Income Support, income-based Jobseeker's Allowance, income-related Employment and Support Allowance, or Child Tax Credit. You must be responsible for paying for the funeral (as partner, close relative, or close friend with no closer relative).
Time limit: You must apply within 6 months of the funeral on form SF200. Apply as soon as possible.
How to claim: Call 0800 731 0469 or get form SF200 from a Jobcentre Plus.
Important note: If the deceased had money in their estate, DWP will recover the payment from it. This does not affect your entitlement to claim.
Children's Funeral Fund
If a child under 18 dies (or a baby is stillborn after 24 weeks of pregnancy), the Children's Funeral Fund covers the burial or cremation costs in England. There is no means test: any family qualifies regardless of income or savings.
What is covered: Burial or cremation fees, the coffin or casket, and in some cases the funeral director's basic disbursements.
How it works: The funeral director claims directly from the government on your behalf. You do not need to apply or pay upfront for these costs.
Scotland and Wales: Scotland has a similar scheme. Wales is expected to introduce one. Check with your local council.
Important: Tell the funeral director at the first meeting that you want to use the Children's Funeral Fund. They will handle the paperwork.
Guardian's Allowance
If you are raising a child whose parents have both died, you may be entitled to Guardian's Allowance on top of Child Benefit.
£21.75 per week per child
(2024-25 rate, paid on top of Child Benefit)
Who qualifies: Both parents must have died, or one parent has died and the other is untraceable or in prison for at least 2 years.
How to claim: Complete form BG1, available from gov.uk or your local HMRC office.
Tax status: Not taxable and does not affect other benefits.
Find out exactly which benefits apply to you
Answer a few questions about your situation and we will show you which benefits you can claim and how to apply for each one.
War Pension and Armed Forces Compensation
If someone died as a result of service in the armed forces, or if an ex-serviceperson has died, there are specific schemes providing ongoing financial support for dependants.
War Widow's or Widower's Pension
For spouses and civil partners of service personnel who died due to service before 6 April 2005. A weekly pension based on rank and circumstances. Contact Veterans UK on 0808 1914 218.
Armed Forces Compensation Scheme (AFCS)
For deaths and injuries from service on or after 6 April 2005. A lump-sum Survivor's Guaranteed Income Payment (SGIP) and bereavement grant may be available. Contact Veterans UK.
Service Attributed Death
If death is wholly or partly caused by service, dependants may receive a higher rate pension. The Royal British Legion can provide free advice and help with claims: 0808 802 8080.
Changes to income-related benefits
When a partner or spouse dies, your household income often changes significantly. You may become newly eligible for income-related benefits, or you may lose entitlements that depended on joint income. It is worth checking all of the following.
Pension Credit
If you are State Pension age and your income is below £218.15 per week (single person, 2024-25), you may qualify for Pension Credit. Losing a partner's pension or State Pension often brings people below this threshold. Claim by calling 0800 731 0469. Pension Credit also unlocks other help: free dental treatment, Housing Benefit, and Cold Weather Payments.
Universal Credit
If you are working age and your income drops after bereavement, you may qualify for Universal Credit or receive a higher payment if you already claim. As a single person, your maximum Universal Credit will change. Report the change of circumstances to DWP within one month.
Housing Benefit
If you receive Housing Benefit and were a couple, your entitlement will change. You may receive a reduced amount or your claim may end. Contact your local council to report the change immediately.
Council Tax single person discount
If you now live alone, you are entitled to a 25% reduction on your council tax bill. Contact your local council to apply. This does not require any means test.
NHS Low Income Scheme (HC1/HC2)
If your income is low, you may qualify for free or reduced cost NHS prescriptions, dental treatment, eye tests, glasses, and hospital travel costs. Apply using form HC1, available from Jobcentre Plus or pharmacies.
Widowed Parent's Allowance (legacy benefit)
Widowed Parent's Allowance was replaced by Bereavement Support Payment in 2017. However, people who were already receiving it before that date continue to receive it. If you were receiving Widowed Parent's Allowance and your circumstances change (for example, you remarry or start living with a new partner), your payments will stop. Contact DWP on 0800 731 0469 if you have questions about an existing claim.
Charitable grants and emergency funds
Beyond government benefits, there are charities and benevolent funds that can provide one-off grants to people facing financial hardship after a bereavement.
Turn2us
A national charity with a benefits calculator and grants search tool. Visit turn2us.org.uk or call 0808 802 2000. They can identify grants from thousands of charitable funds based on your occupation, location, or personal circumstances.
Royal British Legion
Financial grants for veterans, serving personnel, and their families. Call 0808 802 8080.
Trade union and occupational benevolent funds
Many industries have benevolent funds for workers and their families. Examples include the Electrical Industries Charity, Hospitality Action, and the Police Dependants' Trust. Search for the industry the deceased worked in plus "benevolent fund".
Local councils and emergency hardship funds
Many councils have discretionary hardship funds for residents facing acute financial difficulty. Contact your local council's welfare team.
Common questions
Do I have to claim bereavement benefits? Will they be paid automatically?
No. Almost all bereavement benefits require you to make a claim. They are not paid automatically, even if DWP is already aware of the death. This is one of the most important things to know: you must actively claim what you are entitled to. Many people miss out simply because they did not know the benefit existed or ran out of time.
Is there a time limit for claiming Bereavement Support Payment?
Yes, and it is strict. You must claim within 21 months of your partner's death. If you claim within 3 months, you receive the full 18 monthly payments. Claim later and you receive fewer payments. Do not delay.
Will claiming benefits affect my other income or savings?
Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested and does not affect most other benefits. It is also disregarded in Universal Credit calculations for 12 months. Funeral Expenses Payment, Pension Credit, and Universal Credit are all means-tested, so your income and savings will be taken into account.
What if I was not married but we lived together?
Bereavement Support Payment is only available to married couples and civil partners. Cohabiting partners who were not legally married or in a civil partnership cannot claim it, regardless of how long they lived together. This is one of the few areas where the law still draws a sharp distinction.
Can I claim benefits if I am working?
Yes. Bereavement Support Payment can be claimed even if you are working full time. The payment is not affected by your employment status or earnings. Some income-related benefits like Universal Credit and Pension Credit will take your earnings into account.
Will I need to pay tax on bereavement benefits?
Bereavement Support Payment is not taxable and does not count as income. Funeral Expenses Payment is also not taxable. If you receive a widowed parent's pension or war pension, those are generally taxable income. Check with HMRC if you are unsure.
Related guides
Step-by-Step Guide
Everything you need to do, in order, from the first 24 hours onwards
Costs Breakdown
What everything costs and practical ways to reduce expenses
Template Letters
Ready-to-use letters for banks, utilities, HMRC, employers, and more
Support & Helplines
Free helplines, counselling services, and bereavement organisations
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