Bereavement Support Payment Summary
Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a financial welfare benefit paid by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to help individuals in the UK adjust financially following the death of a spouse, civil partner, or cohabitating partner.
Understanding the difference between the Higher Rate (£3,500 lump sum + £350/month for parents) and the Standard Rate (£2,500 lump sum + £100/month) ensures bereaved families receive their full statutory entitlement.
⚙️ Statutory Bereavement Support Rates for 2026/27
1. Higher Rate (Households with Dependent Children)
If you were pregnant or entitled to Child Benefit when your partner died:
- Initial One-Off Lump Sum: £3,500.00 (paid immediately upon claim approval).
- Monthly Instalments: £350.00 per month paid for 18 months.
- Total Award Value: £9,800.00 total statutory support.
2. Standard Rate (Households without Dependent Children)
If you were under State Pension age and have no dependent children:
- Initial One-Off Lump Sum: £2,500.00 (paid immediately upon claim approval).
- Monthly Instalments: £100.00 per month paid for 18 months.
- Total Award Value: £4,300.00 total statutory support.
3. Tax & Means-Testing Status
- Bereavement Support Payment is 100% tax-free.
- It is NOT means-tested against savings, property, or employment income.
- It is completely exempt from the UK Benefit Cap and is ignored as income for Universal Credit for the first 12 months.
📊 Practical Bereavement Support Worked Examples
Below are two worked calculation examples illustrating statutory bereavement awards:
- Entitlement Rate: **Higher Rate (With Children)**
- Initial Tax-Free Lump Sum: **£3,500.00**
- 18 Monthly Payments (£350/mo): **£6,300.00**
Calculation: Total statutory support paid over 18 months = £3,500 + £6,300 = £9,800.00 tax-free.
- Entitlement Rate: **Standard Rate (No Children)**
- Initial Tax-Free Lump Sum: **£2,500.00**
- 18 Monthly Payments (£100/mo): **£1,800.00**
Calculation: Total statutory support paid over 18 months = £2,500 + £1,800 = £4,300.00 tax-free.
📑 Common Pitfalls & Bereavement Warnings
- Claiming After 3 Months Limits Lump Sum: To receive the full lump sum payment, you MUST submit your claim within 3 months of your partner’s death. Claiming up to 21 months after death is allowed, but payments will be backdated pro-rata and the lump sum may be forfeited.
- State Pension Age Limit: You must have been under State Pension age when your partner died. If you were already receiving the State Pension, you cannot claim Bereavement Support Payment.
- National Insurance Requirement: Your deceased partner must have paid Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions in at least 1 tax year, or died due to an industrial disease/accident.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Yes! Following landmark legal reforms, unmarried cohabitating partners with dependent children are fully eligible to claim the Higher Rate Bereavement Support Payment retroactively and currently.
No. Bereavement Support Payment is completely disregarded as income for Universal Credit for the first 12 months, ensuring you retain full monthly UC entitlements.
Once DWP approves your online or telephone application, the initial lump sum is deposited into your bank account within 7 to 10 working days, followed by monthly payments on your assigned date.
Your monthly Bereavement Support Payments continue uninterrupted for the full 18-month duration regardless of whether you remarry, form a civil partnership, or cohabit with a new partner.