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Bereavement Support Payment 2022

The Bereavement Support Payment is a new death benefit paid to the neediest of bereaved citizens. This financial aid replaces previous bereavement benefits for widowed spouses and civil partners.

BEREAVEMENT SUPPORT PAYMENTS: The BSP benefit is not taxable. But, it only gets paid to widows, widowers, or the surviving civil partner.

The payments provide some monetary aid towards the most immediate costs incurred at a time of sadness, grief, and loss.

It is for those who cannot claim the Bereavement Allowance, a Widowed Parent’s Allowance, or the Bereavement Payment.

But, the new benefit only applies if it was a spouse or a civil partner who died. Second, the date of the death must have occurred on or after the 6th of April 2017.

What about claimants who already get one of these other death benefit payments? In this case, they will not get transferred over to Bereavement Support Payment. Existing claims will continue receiving their current award for its natural lifetime instead.


Bereavement Support Payment Eligibility

Jobcentre Plus administer the non means tested Bereavement Support Payment 2022. You may qualify if your spouse or civil partner died on the 6th of April 2017, or any time since that date, if either:

  • Your partner paid their Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions for a period of at least 25 weeks. This applies for any single tax year that occurred during their working life.
  • The death of your partner was due to an accident at work or because of a disease caused by their work.

There are some Bereavement Support Payment conditions and age rules for the claimant. When your partner died, to qualify you must have been:

  • Between the age to marry (or develop a civil partnership) and under the UK State Pension age.
  • Following the residence rules by living in the United Kingdom. Bereavement Support Payment eligibility also applies to overseas countries that pay bereavement benefits. These are situations where the UK has some relevant or reciprocal agreement.

Note: Divorced, or dissolved, partnerships do not qualify. Ineligibility also applies to those living with another person on the date of the death. Serving time inside a prison does not meet Bereavement Support Payment eligibility criteria.


Bereavement Benefits Before 6th of April 2017

Entitlement for financial help may also be available for people bereaved before the 6th of April 2017. In this case you might qualify for:


Bereavement Support Payment Rates 2020

The new Bereavement Support Payment comprises two separate rates. You can get either the ‘Standard rate‘ or the ‘Higher rate‘ depending on your circumstances. As a rule, you get an increased initial payment followed by a further 18 lesser monthly payments.

  • £3,500 Higher Rate: A lump sum first payment followed by £350 per month for up to 18 months. This is for those with children under 20 years old who are in full-time education. You may be able to claim if you were pregnant at the time of the death.
  • £2,500 Standard Rate: A lump sum first payment followed by £100 per month for those with no dependent children under 20 years old in full-time education.

You must be below state pension age to get the funds. But, re-marrying (or re-partnering) does not affect a claim for the new Bereavement Support Payment. Like most regular benefit payments they get paid directly into a secure bank or building society account.

Note: Claim within 3 months after the death of a husband, wife, or civil partner to get the full amount. Claims can continue for up to 21 months after the death but payouts will be lower. Reaching state pension age before the end of the term means you lose the qualification.


How BSP affects other Benefits

Claiming Bereavement Support Payment does not affect entitlement to other benefits. That applies for one year after getting the first payment. Following that, surplus payments may affect the amount of benefit you can get.

Note: Inform the benefits office or local Jobcentre Plus if you start claiming Bereavement Support Payment.

Bereavement Service Helpline
Telephone: 0345 608 8601
Welsh language: 0345 606 0275
Textphone: 0345 608 8551
Welsh language: 0345 606 0295
Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm
Check the price of making a phone call.


How to Claim Bereavement Support Payment

The method of Bereavement Support Payment application depends on where you are living.

Claiming within the United Kingdom

  • Download ‘Bereavement Support Payment Form BSP1‘ off the GOV.UK website. You can also order the BSP1 form by telephone from Jobcentre Plus. Return it to them or send it direct to:

Apply for Bereavement Support Payment by Phone

Bereavement Service Helpline
Telephone: 0800 731 0469
Welsh language: 0800 731 0453

Textphone: 0800 731 0464
Welsh language: 0800 731 0456

Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

Claiming from outside the United Kingdom

International Pension Centre
Telephone: +44 (0) 191 218 7608
Monday to Friday: 8am to 5pm

Note: Some of the Bereavement Support Payment regulations are different in Northern Ireland.


Bereavement Support Payment Rates and Eligibility Criteria