What Bereavement Support Payment is
Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) replaced Bereavement Allowance, Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Payment for deaths on or after 6 April 2017. It applies where a spouse, civil partner or cohabiting partner dies and they had paid enough National Insurance contributions.
In 2026/27 there are two rates. The higher rate, for those who are pregnant or have dependent children, pays a lump sum of £3,500 followed by 18 monthly payments of £350. The lower rate pays a £2,500 lump sum followed by 18 monthly payments of £100. The lump sum and first monthly payment are paid together, so the first payment is large.
National Insurance contribution conditions
To qualify, the deceased must have paid Class 1, 2 or 3 National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year before death, or been exempt from NI due to low earnings while employed. There is no requirement for a minimum period of marriage or civil partnership, but the couple must have been living together at the time of death.
Claims must be made within 21 months of the partner's death. Claims made after 3 months lose the lump sum and some early monthly payments. Claiming promptly matters.
How BSP interacts with Universal Credit
Bereavement Support Payment is disregarded as income for Universal Credit for 12 months from when the first payment is made. That means it does not reduce your UC award during that period, it is treated as a capital disregard rather than income.
After 12 months, any remaining monthly BSP payments do count as income for UC. Monthly payments from month 13 onwards are assessed and will reduce the UC award through the standard income calculation. Understanding this timing matters for financial planning after bereavement.