Change to rules regarding Bereavement Support Payments (BSP) and Widowed Parents Allowance (WPA)

A significant change to the rules for bereavement benefits has just taken place. Historically, couples had to be married or be in an official civil partnership to claim BSP or WPA if one member of the couple died [in other words, couples simply living together couldn’t qualify
even if they had lived together all their adult lives].

The law changed from 9th Feb 2023.

Bereavement Support Payment - How it works

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your partner has died. It has replaced the following benefits:

• Widowed Parent’s Allowance - if you already get this, your payments will continue until you’re no longer eligible
• Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension)
• Bereavement Payment

Eligibility

Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested. This means what you earn or how much you have in savings will not affect what you get. It’s usually paid as a one-off payment followed by up to 18 monthly payments. This may change depending on when you make your claim.

Check out the GOV.UK seven step guide on what to do when someone dies… https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment?step-by-step-nav=4f1fe77d-f43b-4581-baf9-e2600e2a2b7a