Claim Bereavement Support Payment
2 tasks in suggested order
1. Claim Bereavement Support Payment in Great Britain if you qualify
If applicable: If you are claiming under the Great Britain Bereavement Support Payment process.
Bereavement Support Payment can be available after the death of a spouse, civil partner or — in specified cases — a partner you lived with as if married. Eligibility also depends on age, residence and the deceased partner’s National Insurance/work-death conditions.
Usually claim within 21 months of the death. To receive the full available payments, normally claim within 3 months; later claims can reduce what you receive.
Bereavement Support Payment service on GOV.UK for England, Wales and Scotland.
Your National Insurance number, bank details, date of death and the deceased partner’s National Insurance number if known; Child Benefit/pregnancy details where relevant.
If more than 21 months have passed, a limited exception may apply where the cause of death was only recently confirmed. Northern Ireland has a separate application route.
Official source: GOV.UK
2. Claim Bereavement Support Payment through the Northern Ireland route if you qualify
If applicable: If you are claiming Bereavement Support Payment in Northern Ireland.
Northern Ireland has its own Bereavement Support Payment application route. The payment can include an initial amount and up to 18 monthly payments, depending on eligibility and claim timing.
Claim as soon as possible. A claim within 3 months is needed for up to all 18 monthly payments; a claim can normally be made up to 21 months after the death, but the amount reduces. The NI initial payment is only available if the claim is within 12 months.
Northern Ireland Bereavement Support Payment service through nidirect/Bereavement Service.
Your National Insurance number, bank details, date of death and the deceased partner’s National Insurance number if known, plus Child Benefit/pregnancy details where relevant.
Do not use the Great Britain application route for a Northern Ireland resident when nidirect directs you to the NI process.
Official source: nidirect
