DWP Offers £3,500 Bereavement Payment for Eligible Age Group

Losing a partner is emotionally devastating — but there is financial support available. The Bereavement Support Payment, administered by DWP, provides a one‑off £3,500 payment (plus monthly payments) for those who qualify and are under the State Pension age.

What is the DWP Bereavement Support Payment?

The Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a benefit replacing older bereavement benefits (Widowed Parent’s Allowance, Bereavement Allowance, etc.). It offers support after the death of a spouse, civil partner, or eligible cohabiting partner.

• It is not means‑tested, meaning your income or savings do not affect eligibility.
• You must have been under the State Pension age at the time of your partner’s death.
• It applies if you were married, in a civil partnership, or in some cases living together as if married (with qualifying conditions).

Eligibility Criteria & Conditions

To qualify, several conditions must be met:

• Age requirement: You must be under State Pension age when your partner died.
• Residence: You must live in the UK (or a country that pays UK bereavement benefits) at the time of death.
• Relationship status: You must have been married or in civil partnership, or (for cohabiting partners) meet conditions such as having dependent children.
• Partner’s National Insurance contributions: The deceased should have paid sufficient Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions in at least one tax year since 6 April 1975 (unless death was from a work accident or disease).
• Cohabiting partner rules: Since February 2023, unmarried cohabiting partners with dependent children (or pregnant) are eligible under certain rules.

How Much You Can Claim

There are two rates of the BSP: Higher rate and Lower rate. The rate you receive depends on your circumstances at the time of death.

Rate	Lump Sum Payment	Monthly Payments (for up to 18 months)	Who qualifies
Higher rate	£3,500	£350 per month	If you had a child, were pregnant, or entitled to Child Benefit at time of death
Lower rate	£2,500	£100 per month	If you don’t meet the higher rate criteria

Important timing rules:

• To receive the full one-off payment + full 18 monthly payments, you must claim within 3 months of your partner’s death.
• If claiming after 3 months but within 12 months, you may still receive the lump sum but fewer monthly payments.
• If claiming after 12 but before 21 months, you won’t get the lump sum but can receive some monthly payments
• After 21 months, generally you’re not eligible unless the cause of death was only recently confirmed.
• If your State Pension age is reached within 18 months of your partner’s death, your monthly payments may be reduced.

Backdating & Retrospective Claims

• If your partner died on or after 5 April 2019, and you meet cohabiting or parental criteria, you may claim backdated BSP for missed months, subject to deadlines.
• The backdating window for certain retrospective claims closes 9 November 2024 for some deaths in earlier periods.

How to Claim BSP

You can make a claim in three ways:

1. Online – via the government’s digital service.
2. By phone – call the Bereavement Service helpline: 0800 151 2012 (or equivalents in Wales).
3. By post – fill and mail a BSP1 claim form to the address provided.

You will need: your NI number, bank account details, your partner’s NI number, and the date of death.

What Happens After You Receive BSP

• BSP is tax‑free and will not affect other benefits for at least one year after your first payment.
• After a year, unspent lump sum money might impact means‑tested benefits.
• Payments stop once you hit State Pension age, even if you have not received the full 18 monthly payments.

If you lose a partner and are under the State Pension age, you may qualify for a one-off £3,500 DWP Bereavement Support Payment plus up to 18 monthly payments — provided you apply in time and satisfy eligibility rules.

The scheme is designed to ease financial burdens during a difficult period. Act quickly: claim within three months to secure the full payments, or explore backdating options (if eligible). Understanding your rights and deadlines can make a real difference when grieving.

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