Bereavement Support Payment 2026/27: Eligibility, Amounts and How to Claim

Losing a spouse or civil partner is emotionally devastating, and the financial pressures can add further stress at an already difficult time. The UK's Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) provides a one-off lump sum followed by 18 monthly payments to help surviving spouses and civil partners manage the financial consequences of bereavement. This guide explains who qualifies, how much you'll receive, and how to claim.

What is Bereavement Support Payment?

Bereavement Support Payment is a one-off government payment designed to help people cope with the financial impact of losing a spouse or civil partner. It replaced the previous system of Bereavement Allowance, Bereavement Payment, and Widowed Parent's Allowance in April 2017.

BSP is now the primary bereavement benefit in the UK. It's a non-means-tested, non-contributory benefit -- meaning it's available to most people regardless of income or savings (though there are eligibility criteria related to National Insurance contributions).

The payment consists of:

1. A one-off lump sum paid shortly after your spouse's death.
2. 18 monthly payments (paid automatically every month for 18 months).

The rates depend on whether you have dependent children.

Eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment

To qualify for BSP, you must meet ALL of the following conditions:

1. Spousal or Civil Partnership Status

You must have been:

• Married to the deceased person, OR
• In a civil partnership with the deceased person, OR
• Widowed or the surviving civil partner

Important: If your spouse died and you've since remarried or entered a new civil partnership, you're no longer eligible for BSP (though you may have accumulated additional state pension rights).

2. Age

At the date of your spouse's death, you must have been:

• Under State Pension Age (currently 67 for both men and women, rising to 68 in 2044)

If your spouse died when you were already at or past State Pension Age, you don't qualify for BSP. Instead, you may get additional state pension based on your spouse's contributions (if they're higher than your own), though this is assessed separately.

3. National Insurance Contributions

The deceased must have been paying, or been credited with, National Insurance contributions. Specifically:

• Your deceased spouse must have paid National Insurance for at least 25% of the years since they turned 16 (or since 1975 if that's later).
• OR they must have died as a result of an accident at work.
• OR they were entitled to Widowed Parent's Allowance, Bereavement Allowance, or Bereavement Payment before April 2017 (legacy rules).

This is usually satisfied if your spouse was working or receiving benefits (which count as NI credits). If your spouse never worked or had gaps with no credits, they may not meet the threshold, and you'd be ineligible.

You can check your spouse's NI record at gov.uk or contact HMRC if you're unsure.

4. Residence and Nationality

You must be:

• A UK resident, OR
• Living in a country with a reciprocal social security agreement with the UK

This means UK citizens living abroad can usually claim, as can European Economic Area (EEA) citizens under existing agreements (though the Brexit transition period may have affected some arrangements).

Bereavement Support Payment Amounts 2026/27

The rates for 2026/27 have been updated in line with inflation. BSP consists of a lump sum plus 18 monthly payments:

With Dependent Children

If you have dependent children (aged under 20 and in education) at the time of your spouse's death:

• Lump sum: GBP 3,500
• Monthly payment: GBP 350 per month for 18 months (totalling GBP 6,300)
• Total over 18 months: GBP 9,800

Without Dependent Children

If you don't have dependent children:

• Lump sum: GBP 2,500
• Monthly payment: GBP 100 per month for 18 months (totalling GBP 1,800)
• Total over 18 months: GBP 4,300

Important: The "dependent children" criterion is based on who you have caring responsibilities for, not biological children. If you're a grandparent caring for grandchildren, or you have stepchildren in your household, these typically count.

Worked Example: BSP Calculation

Scenario 1: Widow with two children

Jane's husband dies on 15 June 2026. She has two children aged 8 and 11 in school.

• Lump sum (paid within 4 weeks): GBP 3,500
• Monthly payment (June onwards): GBP 350/month
• Months paid: July 2026 through December 2027 (18 months)
• Total monthly payments: GBP 350 × 18 = GBP 6,300
• Grand total: GBP 3,500 + GBP 6,300 = GBP 9,800

Scenario 2: Widow without children

Sarah's spouse dies on 1 March 2026. She has no dependent children.

• Lump sum (paid within 4 weeks): GBP 2,500
• Monthly payment (April onwards): GBP 100/month for 18 months
• Total monthly payments: GBP 100 × 18 = GBP 1,800
• Grand total: GBP 2,500 + GBP 1,800 = GBP 4,300

How to Claim Bereavement Support Payment

Step 1: Gather Required Documents

Before claiming, have the following ready:

• Your spouse's death certificate (the original or a certified copy)
• Your birth certificate
• Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate
• Evidence of your current address (recent utility bill, council tax notice, etc.)
• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank details (for payment)

Step 2: Make the Claim

You can claim in three ways:

Online (Recommended)

1. Visit gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment
2. Click "Apply online"
3. You'll be asked to create or use your existing Government Gateway login
4. Answer questions about your spouse's death, your age, and dependents
5. Upload documents (death certificate, etc.) digitally
6. Submit your claim

Timeframe: Online claims are typically processed within 2-4 weeks.

By Phone

Call the Bereavement Support Payment helpline: 0800 151 3317 (free phone calls, Monday to Friday 8am-6pm)

An adviser will take your details over the phone. You'll still need to send original documents by post afterwards.

Timeframe: Phone claims take slightly longer -- typically 3-5 weeks -- because documents must be mailed in.

By Post

Contact your local Jobcentre Plus or write to:

Bereavement Support Payment General Register Office Trafalgar Road Southport PR8 2HH

Include a letter requesting a BSP claim form, and send a copy of your spouse's death certificate.

Timeframe: Postal claims can take 4-6 weeks due to processing delays.

Step 3: Award and Payment

Once approved, you'll receive:

1. Notification letter confirming you're eligible and the payment amount
2. Lump sum payment (usually within 4 weeks of approval) paid directly to your bank account
3. Monthly payments (starting the month after you're approved, continuing for 18 months)

Payments are made automatically on the same date each month. You can change your bank details anytime via your online account or by contacting the helpline.

Tax Treatment

Bereavement Support Payment is tax-free. Neither the lump sum nor the monthly payments count as taxable income. This is important if you're close to a tax threshold or receiving means-tested benefits, as BSP doesn't affect your eligibility.

Interaction with Other Benefits

Universal Credit

BSP doesn't affect Universal Credit eligibility or payment. The lump sum is disregarded, and the monthly payment is disregarded for UC purposes (meaning it doesn't reduce your UC entitlement).

However, if you start earning more (e.g., returning to work) after your spouse's death, that income will reduce your UC.

Pension Credit

BSP is disregarded in Pension Credit calculations. The lump sum and monthly payments don't count as capital or income, so they won't affect your PC entitlement (important if you're reaching State Pension Age soon).

Housing Benefit

If you receive Housing Benefit (less common now, as UC is replacing it), BSP is typically disregarded, meaning it doesn't reduce your benefit.

Income Support or Employment Support Allowance

BSP is disregarded. It won't affect your claim or payments.

Council Tax Reduction

BSP is disregarded in most council tax reduction schemes -- the lump sum and monthly payments don't count as income.

Severe Disability Premium

If you receive Pension Credit and become eligible for the "severe disability premium" (an additional payment for people with substantial care needs), having a surviving spouse paying BSP doesn't affect this. The BSP payments are separate.

What if Your Circumstances Change?

Dependent Child Reaches Age 20

When a child reaches age 20 or finishes full-time education (whichever is earlier), they're no longer counted as a dependent. Your BSP payments don't change immediately, but:

• If you claimed on the basis of having dependent children, you'll have received the higher rate (GBP 350/month).
• The fact that a child is no longer dependent doesn't trigger a reduction in BSP.
• Your 18-month entitlement is fixed from the date of death -- it doesn't change mid-way through.

You Remarry or Enter a New Civil Partnership

Your BSP entitlement ends immediately if you remarry or enter a new civil partnership. You won't receive any further payments from that date, even if you haven't completed the full 18 months.

This is an important rule to be aware of. If you remarry after 12 months of receiving BSP, you stop receiving the remaining 6 months of payments.

You Move Abroad

If you move to a country without a reciprocal social security agreement, your BSP ends. You can claim payment until you leave the UK, but not after.

You Return to Work

Returning to work doesn't affect BSP. Unlike Bereavement Allowance (the legacy benefit), there's no "earnings rule" that reduces BSP based on how much you earn. You can earn any amount and still receive the full payment.

Terminal Illness: Faster Claim Process

If your spouse died from a terminal illness and you have a "DS1500" form (or "SR1" form for self-employed spouses) from their doctor confirming the terminal diagnosis, the claim process may be faster.

With a DS1500/SR1:

• Claims can be processed in as little as 2 weeks (vs. the standard 4 weeks)
• It confirms that the severe illness was identified (useful if there's any NI contribution question)

You don't need a DS1500 to claim, but it can speed things up.

Common Issues and How to Resolve Them

"My spouse's NI record is insufficient"

If the Bereavement Support Payment service finds your spouse's National Insurance record doesn't meet the 25% threshold, you can:

1. Request a full NI record statement (gov.uk/check-national-insurance-record)
2. Appeal the decision if you believe it's incorrect (for example, if periods should have been credited)
3. Contact HMRC if there are periods of unemployment, sickness, or other reasons the record looks incomplete

The appeal process typically takes 4-8 weeks.

"The death certificate hasn't arrived yet"

You can claim immediately after your spouse's death using a temporary certificate (interim death certificate) issued by the Register Office. Once the full death certificate arrives, send it to update your claim.

"Payment hasn't arrived after 6 weeks"

Contact the Bereavement Support Payment helpline on 0800 151 3317 to check the status. Processing can be delayed if documents are incomplete or missing.

Key Takeaways

• BSP is a lump sum (GBP 2,500-3,500) plus 18 monthly payments (GBP 100-350) depending on dependent children.
• Total amounts: GBP 4,300 (no children) or GBP 9,800 (with children).
• Eligibility: Married/civil partner at death, under State Pension Age, spouse had sufficient NI record.
• BSP is tax-free and doesn't affect Universal Credit, Pension Credit, or most other benefits.
• Remarriage ends BSP immediately -- you stop receiving any further payments from that date.
• Claim online, by phone, or by post -- online is fastest (2-4 weeks).
• 18-month entitlement is fixed from the date of death -- changes in circumstances (child reaches 20, child leaves education) don't reduce it.

If you've lost a spouse or civil partner, BSP provides essential financial support during a difficult period. Claim as soon as possible -- you can claim up to 2 years after the death if needed, but claiming earlier ensures you receive payments sooner.

For more on managing your finances after bereavement, explore our other benefits guides or use our

to understand your income and entitlements.