Bereavement Allowance

Eligibility 

You may get Bereavement Allowance if all the following apply: 

  • your husband, wife or civil partner died before 6 April 2017 

  • you were 45 or over when your husband, wife or civil partner died 

  • you are under State Pension age (external link) 

  • your late husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance contributions, or they died as a result of an industrial accident or disease 

If your spouse or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017 you may be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment (external link) instead. 

You will not get Bereavement Allowance if you: 

  • are bringing up children - you can claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance instead 

  • remarry or form a new civil partnership 

  • live with another person as if you’re married or in a civil partnership 

  • were divorced from your husband, wife or civil partner before their death 

  • were over State Pension age when you were widowed or became a surviving civil partner - you may be able to get extra State Pension 

  • are in prison 

Use a benefits calculator (external link) to check your eligibility. 

Other bereavement benefits 

You may also be eligible for a Bereavement Payment (external link). 

You do not have to apply more than once - you will be considered for all bereavement benefits when you apply for one. 

If you live abroad 

Contact the International Pension Centre to find out if you can claim if you have moved abroad. 

International Pension Centre 

Telephone: +44 191 21 87608 

Department for Work and Pensions 

Bereavement and widows’ benefits 

International Pension Centre 

Tyneview Park 

Newcastle-upon-Tyne 

NE98 1BA 

You must include your: 

  • full name 

  • date of birth 

  • National Insurance number (if you know it) 

See also: