The amount of Bereavement Support Payment you can claim will depend on your relationship to the person who died and when you make your claim.

Your payments will be paid into your bank, building society or credit union account.

If you were married or in a registered civil partnership with the person who died

If you were receiving Child Benefit when your partner died (or did not get it but were entitled to it), you will get the higher rate.

This is made up of:

• a first payment of £3,500; and
• up to 18 monthly payments of £350.

If you were not entitled to Child Benefit, you’ll get the lower rate unless you were pregnant when your partner died.

This is made up of:

• a first payment of £2,500; and
• up to 18 monthly payments of £100.

You must claim within 12 months of your partner’s death to get the first payment. If you claim after this time, you will only get monthly payments.

If you were living together as though you were married with the person who died

You’ll get a first payment of £3,500 and then up to 18 monthly payments of £350.

You may get fewer payments if:

• your partner died after 9 February 2023, and you claim more than 3-months after your partner’s death; and
• your partner died before 30 August 2018.

If you receive benefits

Bereavement Support Payment will not affect your benefits for a year after your first payment. After a year, money you have left from your first payment could affect the amount you get if you renew or make a claim for another benefit.

You must tell your benefits office (for example, your local Jobcentre Plus) when you start receiving Bereavement Support Payments.