DWP offers up to £9,800 non-means-tested bereavement payment to qualifying families

The Department for Work and Pensions administers a Bereavement Support Payment that can provide up to £9,800 to people whose spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner has died. Those eligible for the higher rate receive a £3,500 lump sum followed by 18 monthly payments of £350, while the lower rate consists of a £2,500 lump sum and £100 monthly for 18 months, totalling up to £4,300. The higher rate is granted when the claimant was receiving or entitled to Child Benefit, or was pregnant at the time of death, and also extends to cohabiting partners meeting the criteria.

To obtain the full amount, a claim should be lodged within three months of the death; claims made later may forfeit the lump sum or some monthly instalments, and claims beyond 21 months are generally rejected except in special circumstances. Claimants must be under State Pension age, reside in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits, and the deceased must have paid sufficient Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions. Payments are transferred directly to the claimant’s bank, building society or credit union account and generally do not affect other benefits for the first 12 months, though remaining funds may be considered for future means-tested claims.