Bereavement Support Payment Calculator 2026

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) is a tax-free benefit paid to people whose spouse or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017. It provides a lump sum followed by monthly payments for up to 18 months.

Higher rate (with dependent children): £3,500 lump sum + £350/month for 18 months (total £9,800). Standard rate (no children): £2,500 lump sum + £100/month for 18 months (total £4,300).

You must be: under State Pension age when your partner died; married or in a civil partnership; and your partner must have paid enough NI (25+ weeks in any tax year) or died from an industrial accident or disease.

No — only married couples and civil partners qualify. Unmarried cohabiting partners cannot claim BSP. This has been subject to legal challenges, but the law has not changed as of 2026.

Claim within 3 months of your partner's death to receive the full 18 months of payments. You can still claim up to 21 months after the death, but you will receive fewer remaining monthly payments.

No — BSP is completely tax-free. It also does not count as income for Universal Credit, pension credit, or other means-tested benefits.

Deaths before 6 April 2017 fall under the old system: Widowed Parent's Allowance (if you have children) or Bereavement Allowance (if over 45 with no children). These are no longer available for new claims but continue for existing claimants.

Yes — BSP does not reduce Universal Credit. You can receive both simultaneously. BSP is fully disregarded as income for UC purposes.