Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) helps people who have lost a spouse or civil partner. It replaced three older bereavement benefits in April 2017 and provides a lump sum followed by monthly payments.
What is Bereavement Support Payment?
Key Facts
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Who it’s for | Widows, widowers, and surviving civil partners |
| Based on income? | No |
| Affects other benefits? | No — fully disregarded |
| Duration | Lump sum + 18 monthly payments |
| Must be under | State Pension age |
The Two Rates
| Rate | Lump Sum | Monthly Payment | Who Gets It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Higher rate | £3,500 | £350 | Those with dependent children or pregnant at time of death |
| Standard rate | £2,500 | £100 | All other eligible claimants |
Total Maximum BSP
| Rate | Total Over 18 Months |
|---|---|
| Higher rate | £3,500 + (18 × £350) = £9,800 |
| Standard rate | £2,500 + (18 × £100) = £4,300 |
Eligibility
Main Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Relationship | Married to or in a civil partnership with the deceased |
| Age | Under State Pension age when partner died |
| NI contributions | Partner paid 25+ weeks of Class 1 or Class 2 NI (or died from industrial accident/disease) |
| Residency | Usually in Great Britain (some exceptions for EEA/international) |
The NI Contribution Requirement
The person who died must have paid enough NI:
| Type of NI | Counts? |
|---|---|
| Class 1 (employed) | Yes — at least 25 weeks |
| Class 2 (self-employed) | Yes — at least 25 weeks |
| Class 3 (voluntary) | No |
| Industrial accident/disease death | NI not required |
If the person died before reaching 25 weeks of NI, you still qualify if they died due to an industrial accident or prescribed industrial disease.
Who Is NOT Eligible
| Situation | Why Not Eligible |
|---|---|
| Cohabiting but not married/civil partnered | Not legally recognised for BSP |
| Already reached State Pension age | Too old to claim |
| Partner didn’t pay enough NI | Unless industrial death |
| Living outside UK (most cases) | Residency requirement |
Unmarried partners: This is a well-known gap in the system. If your partner died and you weren’t married, you can’t get BSP. You may instead qualify for Universal Credit, especially if you have children.
How to Claim
Claim as Soon as Possible
You must claim within 3 months of the death to receive all 18 monthly payments:
| Claim Timing | Effect |
|---|---|
| Within 3 months of death | Full 18 monthly payments |
| 3–21 months after death | Fewer monthly payments (still get lump sum) |
| After 21 months | No entitlement |
Online Claim
- Visit gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment
- Complete the online form
- You’ll need the deceased’s death certificate and NI number
By Phone or Post
- Phone: 0800 731 0469 (Bereavement Service helpline)
- Post: Download form BSP1 from gov.uk
What You’ll Need
| Information | Details |
|---|---|
| Death certificate | Or coroner’s reference number |
| Your NI number | Your National Insurance number |
| Partner’s NI number | Or details to locate their record |
| Bank details | For payment |
| Marriage/civil partnership certificate | Proof of relationship |
| Children’s details | If claiming higher rate |
Higher Rate — Who Qualifies?
You get the higher rate if, when your partner died, you were:
- Pregnant (and the child was your partner’s)
- Entitled to Child Benefit for at least one child
- Would have been entitled to Child Benefit but for a waiting period
| Situation | Rate |
|---|---|
| Pregnant at date of death | Higher rate |
| Receiving Child Benefit for child | Higher rate |
| No children, not pregnant | Standard rate |
BSP and Other Benefits
Fully Disregarded
BSP is fully disregarded as income and capital for the purposes of:
- Universal Credit
- Housing Benefit
- Council Tax Reduction
- Pension Credit
- Income Support
- Income-related ESA
- Income-based JSA
This means claiming BSP won’t reduce any of those benefits.
Tax
BSP is not taxable — you don’t need to include it on a Self Assessment return.
If Your Partner Was Excluded from the UK Benefits System
If your partner was subject to immigration control and couldn’t access UK benefits, this does not affect your entitlement to BSP — your NI record and residency are what matter.
Bereavement Benefits Before April 2017
If your partner died before 6 April 2017, different rules apply. Older bereavement benefits include:
| Old Benefit | Who Got It |
|---|---|
| Bereavement Payment | One-off £2,000 lump sum |
| Widowed Parent’s Allowance | Widows/widowers with children |
| Bereavement Allowance | Age 45+ without children |
These are now closed to new claims. If you were already receiving one of these, it continues under those rules.
Appeals and Challenges
If you’re refused BSP:
- Request a Mandatory Reconsideration within 1 month of the decision
- If refused again, appeal to the Social Security and Child Support Tribunal
- Citizens Advice or Cruse Bereavement Support can help you appeal
Other Financial Support After Bereavement
| Support | Details |
|---|---|
| Universal Credit | If you have low income after the death |
| Child Benefit | If you have children |
| Council Tax Reduction | Contact your local council |
| Housing Benefit | If renting, contact local council |
| Pension Credit | If over State Pension age |
| Funeral Expenses Payment | Help with funeral costs, income-related |
| Budgeting Advance | Via Universal Credit |
Funeral Expenses Payment
If you’re on a qualifying benefit (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, Housing Benefit, Child Tax Credit, or Working Tax Credit), you may get help with funeral costs:
- Amount: Up to £1,000 for other funeral costs, plus burial/cremation fees
- Claim by: Within 6 months of the funeral
- Form: SF200, available at gov.uk
Quick Reference
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Higher rate lump sum | £3,500 |
| Higher rate monthly | £350 for 18 months |
| Standard rate lump sum | £2,500 |
| Standard rate monthly | £100 for 18 months |
| Must claim within | 3 months for full payments |
| Last chance to claim | 21 months after death |
| Means-tested? | No |
| Taxable? | No |
| Affects other benefits? | No |
| Unmarried partners eligible? | No |