The higher and standard rates of Bereavement Support Payment, who qualifies for each, and the claim deadlines that
decide how much of it you actually receive.
Bereavement Support Payment rates 2026/27
Rate
One-off payment
Monthly payments
Most you can get
Higher rate
£3,500
18 x £350
£9,800
Standard (lower) rate
£2,500
18 x £100
£4,300
DWP calls the lower rate the "standard rate" in its rates tables; GOV.UK's guide calls it the "lower rate". The
amounts are the same in 2026/27 as in 2025/26. "Most you can get" assumes you claim in time for every
payment.
Which rate you get
When your partner died, you were
Rate
Married or in a civil partnership, and getting (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a child living with you, or pregnant
Higher
Married or in a civil partnership, none of the above
Standard (lower)
Living together as if married, and getting (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a child living with you, or pregnant
Higher
Living together as if married, none of the above
Not eligible (unless claiming a backdated payment)
Claim deadlines: when you claim changes what you get
Time since your partner died
One-off payment
Monthly payments
Up to 3 months
Yes
All 18
3 to 12 months
Yes
Only some
12 to 21 months
No
Only some
Over 21 months
No
Usually none
If you reach State Pension age within 18 months of your partner's death, you may get fewer
monthly payments. If it has been over 21 months but the cause of death was only recently
confirmed, call the Bereavement Service helpline — you may still be able to claim.
Who can claim
When your partner died you were under State Pension age and living in the UK (or a country that pays bereavement benefits).
You were married, in a civil partnership, or living together as if married (with the Child Benefit or pregnancy condition above).
Your partner paid enough Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions in any one tax year since
6 April 1975, or died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work. You can claim even
if you are unsure about their contributions — the Bereavement Service will tell you.
Your partner died on or after 6 April 2017.
It is not means-tested and tax-free.
It does not affect other benefits for a year after the first payment. You can apply online, by phone or by post
(form BSP1); Northern Ireland has its own phone and postal routes.
Frequently asked questions
How much is Bereavement Support Payment in 2026/27?
There are two rates. The higher rate is a one-off payment of £3,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of £350 — £9,800 in total. The standard (lower) rate is £2,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of £100 — £4,300 in total. These are the maximums if you claim in time.
Who gets the higher rate?
You get the higher rate if, when your partner died, you were getting Child Benefit for a child who lived with you, had been told by the Child Benefit Office that you were entitled to it, or were pregnant. Otherwise married people and civil partners get the standard rate. People who were living together as if married can only qualify through the same child or pregnancy conditions, so they get the higher rate.
What is the deadline to claim Bereavement Support Payment?
Claim within 3 months of your partner's death to get the one-off payment and all 18 monthly payments. Between 3 and 12 months you still get the one-off payment but only some monthly payments. Between 12 and 21 months you lose the one-off payment but can get some monthly payments. After 21 months you usually cannot get anything, unless the cause of death was only recently confirmed.
Is Bereavement Support Payment taxable?
No. HMRC lists Bereavement Support Payment among the state benefits you do not pay Income Tax on. It is also not means-tested, so your earnings and savings do not change what you get.
Does Bereavement Support Payment affect other benefits?
Not for a year after your first payment. After a year, money you still have from the one-off payment could count as savings if you renew or make a new claim for a means-tested benefit. You must tell your benefits office, for example Jobcentre Plus, when you start getting it.
Can I get Bereavement Support Payment if we were not married?
Yes, if you were living together as if you were married and, when your partner died, you were getting (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a child who lived with you, or you were pregnant. Without one of those conditions you cannot claim unless you are applying for a backdated payment.
What if my partner died before 6 April 2017?
Bereavement Support Payment only covers deaths on or after 6 April 2017. For an earlier death you may be able to get Widowed Parent's Allowance instead, which is £156.65 a week in 2026/27. If you already get it, it continues until you are no longer eligible.
