Change of circumstances - Bereavement

How benefits may be affected following a bereavement. You will find information on how bereavement affects your benefits and how to claim Bereavement Benefit.

What happens after a death?

When a person dies on or after 9 April 2001 the surviving spouse or civil partner may be able to get a Bereavement Payment and either Widowed Parent's Allowance; or Bereavement Allowance.

• Read more on Bereavement Payment
• Read more on Widowed Parent's Allowance
• Read more on Bereavement Allowance

For all of these benefits the persons late spouse or civil partner must have met the National Insurance contributions conditions.

What to do if your circumstances change

It is important to tell the Bereavement Benefit section if your circumstances change, for example if:

• you remarry
• you start to live with your partner as husband and wife or as if you had formed a civil partnership
• Bereavement Benefits (contacts section)

How to claim Bereavement Benefits

A separate claim is not needed for each benefit. One claim covers all three of the Bereavement Benefits.

When the death of the late spouse is registered the bereaved person will be given a certificate of registration of death (form BD8). This form is for Social Security purposes only.

To claim Bereavement benefits the bereaved person should fill in the form on the back of the certificate and send or take it to the Bereavement Benefit section or the nearest Social Security or Jobs & Benefit Office. They will then be given a claim form (BB1) which should be completed and sent back as soon as possible.

• Bereavement Benefits (contacts section)
• Contact your nearest Social Security / Jobs & Benefits office

Other help

• Read more on Funeral Payments
• Read more on Employment and Support Allowance
• Read more on Income Support
• Read more on Industrial Death Benefit
• Read more on Jobseeker's Allowance
• Read more on War Widow's Pension