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Bereavement Allowance is a regular payment of benefit to people who are aged 45 or over but under state pension age when their spouse or civil partner dies or when their Widowed Parent’s Allowance ceases. It is taxable and is based on National Insurance contributions.
This allowance can only be paid for the first 52 weeks after the bereavement.
Who can get Bereavement Allowance?You can get Bereavement Allowance if your late spouse or civil partner met the National Insurance contribution conditions and you were 45 or over (and under state pension age) when your spouse or civil partner died and you do not get Widowed Parents Allowance. You cannot get Bereavement Allowance:
- if you were divorced; or
- if your civil partnership has been dissolved; or
- if you are living with a person of the opposite sex as husband and wife; or
- while you are in prison or held in legal custody; or
- if you are over pension age.
The amount of Bereavement Allowance is made up of a basic allowance which is related to your age when bereaved.
Providing your late spouse or civil partner had made sufficient National Insurance contributions, and you are aged 55 or over when bereaved, you will get the full rate of Bereavement Allowance. If you are aged between 45 and 55 when bereaved you will qualify for a percentage of the full rate.
You can claim Bereavement Allowance on form BB1 which can be obtained from the Pensions Service, Windsor House any Social Security or Jobs & Benefits office or the Benefits Shop.
Rates of Bereavement AllowanceEffective from 7 April 2008
Basic Allowance - £90.70
Age-related pension
| Rate |
Age |
| £84.35 |
54 |
| £78.00 |
53 |
| £71.65 |
52 |
| £65.30 |
51 |
| £58.96 |
50 |
| £52.61 |
49 |
| £46.26 |
48 |
| £39.91 |
47 |
| £33.56 |
46 |
| £27.21 |
45 |
How long will it be paid for?Bereavement Allowance is payable for up to 52 weeks following the bereavement. It cannot be paid after you reach state pension age. You may be able to get Bereavement Allowance after Widowed Parent’s Allowance if Widowed Parent’s Allowance ended within 52 weeks of bereavement. It will be payable only for the remaining part of that 52 week period.
Effect of capital and other incomeBereavement Allowance is payable regardless of capital and whether the bereaved person does any work.
These benefits are reduced by the amount of Bereavement Allowance being paid:
Bereavement Allowance is taken into account in assessing the following:
These benefits do not affect the payment of Bereavement Allowance:
If you do not understand or disagree with a decision, you can ask for an explanation and/or for the decision to be looked at again. You also have the right of appeal.
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