Bereavement Benefits
If the deceased was your spouse or civil partner you may be entitled to a one-off, tax free lump sum Bereavement Payment payment of £2,000. There are certain criteria you have to meet in order to be eligible for the payment and full details of eligibility and how to apply are on the Gov.UK website.
You may be entitled to Bereavement Allowance which is a taxable benefit payable for up to 52 weeks from the date your spouse or civil partner died. The payments are based on your late spouse or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions. To be entitled you must be over 45 but under State Pension age when they died.
To avoid losing any benefit, you should claim within three months of the deceased’s death. Full details of eligibility and how to apply are on the Gov.UK website.
If you have a dependent child, you may be entitled to Widowed Parent’s Allowance. For eligibility and further details of how to apply see Gov.UK website.
You could get a Funeral Payment if you’re on a low income and need help to pay for a funeral, how much will depend on your circumstances and if you qualify, further details can be found on Gov.UK website.
If there is no next of kin, the deceased had no estate or the family are unable to pay for a funeral a simple ceremony can be provided with the costs covered by the Local Authority under the Public Health Act 1984. Previously known as a Paupers Funeral but now often referred to as a Contract Funeral the deceased would receive the same level of care and attention from professionals but without any frills and extras.
