Bereavement Allowance

What is it?

Bereavement Allowance (BA) is a weekly benefit paid for up to 52 weeks to a customer who is widowed or whose civil partner dies.

Basic qualifying conditions

In order to qualify for BA you must have no dependant children and have attained 45 years of age but are under state pension age at the date you became widowed or when your civil partner died.

There are also National Insurance Contribution conditions you must meet. You can download the appropriate Benefits and Contributions Guide section (see downloadable documents).

How much could I get and how am I paid?

See benefit rates  for further details.

You can be paid weekly by orders which you cash at a Post Office or you can have it paid direct into your bank or building society account every 4 weeks.

BA is paid from the first pay day after your spouse's or civil partner's death or when Widowed Parent's Allowance ceases. BA is paid normally for a period of 52 weeks. If the contribution conditions are not fully satisfied and you are under 55 the amount payable may be reduced.

How and when should I apply?

Claims should be made as soon as possible but not later than 3 months after the spouse's or civil partner's death.

The claim form can be requested from and returned to:

The following benefits can be paid in addition to Bereavement Allowance but are reduced by the amount of Bereavement Allowance in payment:

• Carer's Allowance
• Jobseeker's Allowance (Contribution-based)
• Incapacity Benefit
• Severe Disablement Allowance
• Maternity Allowance
• Income Support

Retirement pension cannot be paid in addition to Bereavement Allowance.

See downloadable documents for more about Bereavement Allowance.