# Who is eligible for Bereavement Support Payment?

> Quick answer · Last updated 4 July 2026

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## In short

Widows, widowers and surviving civil partners under State Pension age whose spouse paid sufficient National Insurance when they died. You must have been married or in a civil partnership — cohabiting partners cannot claim.

You must be under State Pension age at the date of death. Your spouse or civil partner needs a sufficient NI record — typically at least 25 weeks of contributions in one tax year, or death from an industrial accident or disease.

Higher rate requires entitlement to Child Benefit for a child living with you, or pregnancy at death. Standard rate applies otherwise.

See our Bereavement Support Payment guide and how-to claim page. Tell Us Once can notify multiple departments after a death.

## Related

- [Bereavement Support Payment guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk/family-life/bereavement-support-payment-explained/)
- [How to claim](https://moneyguide.org.uk/how-to/claim-bereavement-support-payment/)
- [After a bereavement](https://moneyguide.org.uk/for/after-a-bereavement/)

## Primary source

gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

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Independent UK money guidance from [Money Guide](https://moneyguide.org.uk). Information only — not regulated financial advice.