Coping with bereavement
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If your spouse or civil partner has died you may be able to claim Bereavement Support Payment to help ease some of the financial worries you may be facing.
Bereavement Support Payment is money that you may be able to claim if your husband, wife, or civil partner died after 6 April 2017.
This benefit isn't means-tested, so you can make a claim regardless of your income or whether you're in work. But there are certain eligibility criteria outlined below.
Bereavement Support Payment has replaced Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow's Pension), Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Payment.
There are two different rates of Bereavement Support Payment:
These payments aren't taxable and are disregarded when calculating your entitlement to means-tested benefits and the benefit cap.
You can claim Bereavement Support Payment if:
Do you know what benefits you are entitled to? Our Benefits Calculator can help you, quickly and easily, to find out what you could be claiming.
There are several ways you can claim Bereavement Support Payments. You can:
Once you've completed your form, you need to take it to your nearest Jobcentre Plus or you can send it to the following address:
Bereavement Support Payment
Mail Handling Site A
Wolverhampton
WV98 2BS
You should claim Bereavement Support Payment within 3 months of the death to get the full amount. For every month later you claim, you'll receive one fewer monthly payment.
If you're currently receiving Widowed Parent’s Allowance you will continue to do so at the rate of £122.55 as long as you're still receiving Child Benefit.
The death of a loved one can be an incredibly difficult time and it's important to know what support might be available to you:
You might be able to get help with one-off expenses, such as funeral costs
We can help you work out what you need to do following a death
We have more information about emotional support following a death
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 140 local Age UKs.
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