In the United Kingdom, Bereavement Support Payments (also known as bereavement benefits) are paid to the husband/wife or partner of a person who has died in the previous 21 months. It replaced Bereavement Payment and Bereavement Allowance in April 2017, which had previously replaced Widow's benefit in April 2001. It is a

social security Welfare spending is a type of government support intended to ensure that members of a society can meet basic human needs such as food and shelter. Social security may either be synonymous with welfare, or refer specifically to social insurance ...

benefit that is designed to support people who have recently lost their spouse, and need some financial support to help them get back on their feet. A similar benefit is provided in Malta in accordance to the ''Widows and Orphans Pension Act'' of 1927. The qualifying conditions are as follows: * the deceased partner must have paid

National Insurance National Insurance (NI) is a fundamental component of the welfare state in the United Kingdom. It acts as a form of social security, since payment of NI contributions establishes entitlement to certain state benefits for workers and their famil ...

contributions for at least 25 weeks in one

tax year A fiscal year (also known as a financial year, or sometimes budget year) is used in government accounting, which varies between countries, and for budget purposes. It is also used for financial reporting by businesses and other organizations. La ...

since 6 April 1975. Bereavement Support Payment consists of 2 parts, firstly: *a bereavement payment of £3,500 which is a one off tax free lump sum, provided the claimant was receiving

Child Benefit Child benefit or children's allowance is a social security payment which is distributed to the parents or guardians of children, teenagers and in some cases, young adult (psychology), young adults. Countries operate different versions of the benefi ...

; otherwise the payment is £2,500 ::::(formerly only payable if the deceased spouse met the

contribution conditions, and was not receiving a Category A

State pension A pension (; ) is a fund into which amounts are paid regularly during an individual's working career, and from which periodic payments are made to support the person's retirement from work. A pension may be either a "defined benefit plan", wher ...

). Secondly: *the succeeding benefit: # a standard rate (equivalent to the former Bereavement allowance), which is payable to surviving partners without children. This runs for up to 18 months from the date of claim or until the claimant reaches retirement age (whichever is sooner). # a higher rate (equivalent to the former Widowed parent's allowance). This is payable to surviving partners who have dependent children for whom they are in receipt of

child benefit Child benefit or children's allowance is a social security payment which is distributed to the parents or guardians of children, teenagers and in some cases, young adult (psychology), young adults. Countries operate different versions of the benefi ...

. This allowance is payable for up to 18 months from the date of claim. None of these benefits are payable if the claimant is over

state pension A pension (; ) is a fund into which amounts are paid regularly during an individual's working career, and from which periodic payments are made to support the person's retirement from work. A pension may be either a "defined benefit plan", wher ...

age. However, remarriage no longer affects any claim in payment. A person can move from the standard to the higher rate if they begin receiving Child Benefit after the claim has been made. Bereavement Support Payment does not affect other benefits for a year after the first payment. After a year, remaining money left from the first payment can affect claims for other means-tested benefits.

References

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External links

"Benefits and financial support when someone dies"
GOV.UK Social security in the United Kingdom

See also

References

External links