Thousands of bereaved families could be entitled to up to £9,800 in financial support from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), but many may not realise they are eligible to claim. Bereavement Support Payment is designed to help people cope financially after the death of a spouse, civil partner or, in some cases, a partner they lived with as if they were married. The payment is not means-tested, meaning eligibility is not based on income or savings.
Those who qualify for the higher rate can receive a £3,500 lump sum, followed by 18 monthly payments of £350, giving a total of £9,800. The higher rate is available if, when their partner died, the claimant was receiving Child Benefit for a child living with them, had been told they were entitled to Child Benefit, or was pregnant.
People who were living together as if they were married may also qualify for the higher rate, provided they meet the relevant eligibility rules.
Those who do not qualify for the higher rate may still be entitled to the lower rate, which consists of a £2,500 lump sum followed by 18 monthly payments of £100, totalling up to £4,300. This is available for people who are not responsible for a child under 20.
To receive the full amount, including the lump sum and all 18 monthly payments, applications must be submitted within three months of a partner’s death.
People who claim after three months but within 12 months can still receive the lump sum, although they will receive fewer monthly payments. Those claiming between 12 and 21 months after the death may still receive some monthly payments, but will no longer qualify for the lump sum. In most cases, claims made more than 21 months after the death will not qualify for any payment.
The DWP says the payment will not affect most benefit entitlements for 12 months after the first payment is made. However, any money left from the initial payment after a year could be taken into account when someone renews or makes a new claim for certain means-tested benefits.
Anyone who starts receiving Bereavement Support Payment should also inform the office that administers their other benefits, such as your local Jobcentre Plus.