Bereavement Support Payment provides a tax-free lump sum followed by monthly payments to people whose spouse or civil partner has died, helping with the immediate and ongoing financial impact. This guide covers eligibility, amounts, and the claim time limit for 2026/27.
What Bereavement Support Payment Is
Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is paid to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners whose spouse or civil partner has died, provided the deceased had paid enough National Insurance contributions, or died as a result of their job. It consists of an initial tax-free lump sum followed by up to 18 further monthly payments.
It replaced the older system of Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance for deaths from April 2017 onwards, simplifying support into a single, time-limited payment rather than an ongoing benefit that could run for years.
Eligibility and Rates
You must generally be under State Pension age when your spouse or civil partner died, be living in the UK or a country that counts for this purpose, and not currently be in prison. A higher rate applies if you were entitled to Child Benefit at the time of death, or were pregnant, reflecting the additional financial responsibility of dependent children.
The lump sum and monthly rate are higher for those with dependent children than for those without, recognising the greater ongoing cost of raising children after the loss of a partner.
The Claim Time Limit
There is a strict time limit to claim — generally you must claim within twelve months of the death to receive the full lump sum and all monthly payments, since payments are calculated from the date of death rather than the date you claim, so delaying reduces the total you receive.
You can still claim later than twelve months in limited circumstances, but the amount received is reduced accordingly, so it is important to claim as soon as possible after a bereavement even while other practical and emotional matters are being dealt with.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can claim Bereavement Support Payment?
Widows, widowers and surviving civil partners under State Pension age can generally claim, provided their late spouse or civil partner paid sufficient National Insurance contributions, or died because of their work. Unmarried partners, however long the relationship, are not eligible under the current rules.
Is Bereavement Support Payment taxable?
No, both the lump sum and the monthly payments are tax-free and do not need to be declared as income on a Self Assessment return, unlike some other benefits and income sources.
How long do the monthly payments last?
Monthly payments can continue for up to 18 months after the initial lump sum, at either the standard or higher rate depending on whether you have dependent children, after which the payment ends completely rather than continuing indefinitely.
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What happens if I do not claim within 12 months?
You can still make a late claim, but the amount you receive is reduced because entitlement is calculated from the date of death rather than the date of the claim — claiming as soon as possible after bereavement maximises what you receive.
Does Bereavement Support Payment affect other benefits?
It can affect entitlement to means-tested benefits such as Universal Credit, since the lump sum and monthly payments may be taken into account as income or capital depending on timing, so it is worth checking how a claim interacts with any other benefits you receive.
Can unmarried partners claim if they lived together for many years?
No, current rules require the deceased to have been your spouse or registered civil partner, so unmarried cohabiting partners are not eligible for Bereavement Support Payment regardless of the length of the relationship or shared financial commitments.
How do I claim Bereavement Support Payment?
You claim through the DWP Bereavement Service, usually by phone or by post using the BSP1 claim form, and you will typically need your National Insurance number and details of your spouse or civil partner and your marriage or civil partnership.
What happens to Bereavement Support Payment if I remarry or form a new civil partnership?
Once a claim has been awarded, entering a new marriage or civil partnership does not stop the remaining monthly payments already due, which is different from how some of the older bereavement benefits it replaced were treated.
How is Bereavement Support Payment different from the Widowed Parent’s Allowance it replaced?
Unlike Widowed Parent’s Allowance, which could continue for years while a claimant had dependent children, Bereavement Support Payment is time-limited to a lump sum plus up to 18 monthly payments, regardless of how long the children remain dependent.
Can I get Bereavement Support Payment if I have already reached State Pension age?
No, Bereavement Support Payment is only available if you were under State Pension age when your spouse or civil partner died; if you were already over that age, any support instead comes through the State Pension system rather than BSP.
Disclaimer: This guide reflects UK rules as they generally apply in 2026/27. This guide is for general information only and is not professional advice. Consult a qualified adviser and refer to gov.uk for current official guidance before relying on any treatment.
