✅ What UK benefits you might claim after a spouse dies

 

This is advice given by ChatGPT.

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If your partner has died, the main “widow/widower benefit” schemes to consider are:

• Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) — this is the benefit that has replaced what used to be called “widow’s pension,” “bereavement allowance,” “widow’s payment,” or Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA). 

• If you are of State Pension age — there may be other “inheritance” or pension-related options via the state pension system for a surviving spouse/civil partner. 

 

So if you mean “widow/widower benefit” in the modern sense, the most relevant is Bereavement Support Payment.

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Who is eligible for Bereavement Support Payment

 

You may be eligible for BSP if:

• Your husband, wife or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017. 

• At the time of death you were under State Pension age. 

• Your partner paid enough National Insurance contributions (or died because of a work accident or work-related disease). 

• You were living in the UK (or a country that pays UK bereavement benefits) at the time of their death. 

 

Note: If your partner died before 6 April 2017 and you had dependent children, Widowed Parent’s Allowance might still apply (for existing claimants or under certain conditions). 

💷 What you get with Bereavement Support Payment

 

Depending on circumstances, you could receive:

• A lump-sum payment (one-off)

• Monthly payments over a period (up to 18 months)

• Amounts vary depending on whether you have children or qualified for Child Benefit when your partner died (higher rate), or not (standard rate). 

🖊️ How to claim Bereavement Support Payment — Step by step

 

You can claim via three methods. 

1. Online — via the official government website. 

2. By phone — call the Bereavement Service helpline. 

   • Helpline number: 0800 151 2012 (or textphone 0800 731 0464). 

3. By post / paper form — download the claim form (often called “BSP1”), fill it in, and send it to the address specified. 

 

What you’ll need when you claim

• Your National Insurance (NI) number

• Your partner’s NI number (if known)

• Date of death of your partner

• Your bank or building society details (for payment) 

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Time limits — when you should claim

• To get the full benefit (lump sum + full monthly payments), you should claim within 3 months of your partner’s death. 

• You can still claim later — up to 21 months after death — but the amount (especially lump-sum and number of monthly payments) may be reduced. 

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What if you’re already of State Pension age or your partner was older

• If you have reached State Pension age, Bereavement Support Payment may no longer apply, but there may be pension-related entitlements depending on your partner’s National Insurance history and when they died. 

• It’s also worth checking private pensions or workplace pensions — many schemes include survivor’s benefits, which are separate from State benefits. 

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What to do if you think you may qualify

• Visit the government website page for Bereavement Support Payment and start the online claim process.

• Or ring the Bereavement Service helpline. If you’re unsure about eligibility (for example, due to children, cohabiting status, age, etc.) — they can advise.

• Have your NI numbers, bank account details, date of death and (if possible) death certificate ready.

• If you find the form or process confusing — charities such as Citizens Advice or local support organisations often provide free help to complete claims for bereavement benefits.