Claiming Benefits

How to Claim Funeral Benefits

If you're arranging a funeral and receive certain income-related benefits, you may be eligible for help through the Funeral Expenses Payment (also known as a Funeral Payment) from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

Who Can Claim

You may be eligible if you’re responsible for arranging the funeral and receive one or more of the following:

  • Universal Credit
  • Income Support
  • Pension Credit
  • Housing Benefit
  • Jobseeker’s Allowance (income-based)
  • Employment and Support Allowance (income-related)
  • Child Tax Credit
  • Working Tax Credit (with a disability or severe disability element)

You must also meet relationship criteria—such as being the partner, close relative, or close friend of the deceased.

What It Covers

The payment can help with:

  • Burial or cremation fees
  • Doctor’s certificate for cremation
  • Travel costs to arrange or attend the funeral
  • Moving the deceased more than 50 miles within the UK
  • Up to £1,000 toward other funeral expenses (e.g. funeral director’s fees, coffin, flowers)

If the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan, the payment may be reduced to cover only items not included in the plan (up to £120).

How to Apply

  • Complete the SF200 form online or by calling the Bereavement Service helpline
  • You can apply up to 6 months after the funeral
  • The payment is made either to you (if you’ve already paid) or directly to the funeral director

You can find full details and apply through GOV.UK’s Funeral Expenses Payment page.

Need Support?

At Fawcett and Hetherington, we’re happy to help guide you through the application process and provide any documentation you may need. Just call us on 01642 459555—we’re here to support you with warmth and clarity.

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Bereavement Support Payment – What You Need to Know

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a financial benefit offered by the UK government to help ease the immediate costs and disruption following the death of a spouse or civil partner. It’s not means-tested, so eligibility isn’t affected by income, savings, or employment status.

Who Can Claim

You may be eligible if:

  • Your partner died on or after 6 April 2017
  • You were married or in a civil partnership at the time of death
  • Or you were living together as if married and have children or were pregnant when your partner died
  • You were under State Pension age when your partner died
  • Your partner paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks, or their death was work-related

What You Could Receive

There are two payment rates: | Your Circumstances | Lump Sum | Monthly Payments (18 months) With dependent children | £3,500 | £350/month | | Without dependent children | £2,500 | £100/month |

These payments are not taxable and won’t affect most other benefits for a year.

How to Claim

  • Apply online via GOV.UK’s Bereavement Support Payment page
  • Or call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 731 0464
  • You must apply within 3 months of the death to receive the full amount, but late applications (up to 21 months) may still be eligible for reduced payments

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Bereavement Allowance

Eligibility

When your partner died, you must have been:

Your partner must have either:

You cannot claim Bereavement Support Payment if you’re in prison.

Your relationship to your partner

When your partner died you must have been either:

  • married or in a registered civil partnership
  • living together as though you were married

If you were married or in a registered civil partnership with the person who died

You can claim Bereavement Support Payment if your partner died in the last 21 months but you might get less than the usual 18 monthly payments.

You must claim within 3 months of your partner’s death to get the full amount.

You may still be able to claim Bereavement Support Payment if your partner’s cause of death was confirmed more than 21 months after the death. Call the Bereavement Service helpline.

If your partner died before 6 April 2017, you may be able to get  Widowed Parent’s Allowance instead.

If you were living together as though you were married with the person who died

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your partner died on or after 6 April 2017.

You must have been:

  • under State Pension age when your partner died
  • under State Pension age on 30 August 2018

If you reach State Pension age within 18 months of your partner’s death, you can make a claim but you might get fewer monthly payments.

When your partner died, you must have been one of the following:

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Widowed Parent's Allowance

Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA) is a benefit that was available in the UK for people who were bereaved before 6 April 2017 and have dependent children. It’s designed to provide financial support to widowed parents who were married, in a civil partnership, or living as if married when their partner died.

Key Facts About Widowed Parent’s Allowance

Who Can Claim

You may be eligible if:

  • Your partner died before 6 April 2017
  • You were married, in a civil partnership, or living together as if married at the time of their death
  • You are under State Pension age
  • You are entitled to Child Benefit for at least one child
  • Your late partner paid National Insurance contributions, or their death was caused by work-related illness or accident

What You’ll Receive

  • WPA is a weekly, taxable benefit
  • The amount depends on your late partner’s National Insurance record
  • Payments continue until you are no longer eligible (e.g. if you remarry or stop receiving Child Benefit)

You Cannot Claim If:

  • Your partner died on or after 6 April 2017 (you may be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment instead)
  • You were divorced or no longer living together at the time of death
  • You’ve since remarried or entered a new civil partnership
  • You’re living with someone as if married

How to Apply

Need Help Navigating This?

We know these forms and processes can feel overwhelming. Our team is here to help you understand what you’re entitled to and provide any documentation you may need. Just call us on 01642 459555—we’re always here to support you with dignity and care.

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