Bereavement Support Payment


A new benefit, Bereavement Support Payment, replaces the previous suite of bereavement benefits (Bereavement Payment, Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance) for those whose spouse or civil partner dies on or after 6 April this year. These changes will not affect those already in receipt of bereavement benefits. These people will continue to receive their current benefit for the natural lifetime of the award. 


The government says the change shifts the focus of bereavement benefits from replacing the deceased spouse or civil partner’s earnings to helping with the additional and more immediate costs of bereavement.


Bereavement Support Payment:


• will not be taxable;


• will not count towards the benefit cap; 


• will be subject to a disregard in the calculation of income-based benefits; and


• will not affect the bereaved person’s entitlement to contribution-based Jobseeker’s Allowance or contributory Employment and Support Allowance. 


In addition, a bereaved person who remarries or re-partners will be able to keep their Bereavement Support Payment (which was not the case with regard to the benefits it replaces) and there is a higher rate for pregnant women and people with dependent children.


The government originally proposed that the benefit would be paid for 12 months. However, it was forced to reconsider, following representations from parliamentary committees and groups supporting bereaved people, and it will now be paid for up to 18 months.


Bereaved parents can receive an initial payment of £3,500 followed by up to 18 monthly payments of £350. Those without children can receive an initial payment of £2,500 followed by up to 18 monthly payments of £100.