Bereavement Support Payment (Bsp) Is A Benefit That Can Be Claimed If Your Husband, Wife Or Civil Partner Has Died (On Or After 6 April 2017)

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a benefit that can be claimed if your husband, wife or civil partner has died (on or after 6 April 2017) and you are living in the UK and are under State pension age. To qualify for BSP your husband, wife or civil partner must have paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks, or if their death was the result of an accident at work or due to a disease caused by work.

BSP is paid at either one of two rates.

• If you are eligible for the lower rate you will receive a first payment of £2,500 and then up to 18 monthly payments of £100.

• If you are entitled to the higher rate you will receive a first payment of £3,500 and up to 18 monthly payments of £350.

• If you claim child benefit (or are entitled to it) you will qualify for the higher rate of BSP. 

You must claim BSP within three months of the date of death of your husband, wife or civil partner. 

If you require any advice or assistance following the death of a loved one, please contact a member of our Private Client team on 01892 515022. 

This blog is not intended as legal advice that can be relied upon and CooperBurnett does not accept any responsibility for the accuracy of its contents.  

By Sarah Strong, Senior Associate