Bereavement support and advice

If you are recently bereaved this could be one of the most difficult times in your life.

Although last thing you may want to think about is money, it is important to make sure that your finances are correct.

The following benefits may be payable because of your bereavement:

  • Bereavement Payment
  • Widowed Parents Allowance
  • Bereavement Allowance
  • Social Funeral Expenses Payment
  • Other benefits may also be payable if your income is reduced - for instance Income Support, Housing Benefit for your rent and Council Tax Benefit. And there will be important changes if you receive Tax Credits. For individual advice in Wirral, contact Wirral Welfare Rights Unit.

Bereavement Payment

You may be entitled to this benefit if:

  • Your spouse died on or after 9 April 2001
  • You claim within 12 months of your spouse's death
  • Your spouse satisfied the correct national insurance conditions or your spouse died as a result of an industrial injury or disease
  • You are under 60 (if a woman) or you are under 65 (if a man)
  • Amount: A one-off, lump-sum payment of £2,000.

To claim you need to complete a BB1 form, obtainable from all Department for Work & Pensions offices.

More information about Bereavement Payment is avaialable on the Directgov website.

Widowed Parents Allowance

You may be entitled to this benefit if:

  • Your spouse died on or after 9 April 2001 and you are under 60 (if a woman) or you are under 65 (if a man)
  • Your spouse satisfied the correct national insurance conditions or your spouse died as a result of an industrial injury or disease
  • You are entitled to Child Benefit or you are pregnant by your late husband

Amount: A basic weekly amount of £82.05 plus extra for children and any extra earnings-related payments based on your spouse's earnings.

To claim you need to complete a BB1 form, obtainable from all Department for Work & Pensions offices.

More information about Widowed Parents Allowance is available on the Directgov website.

Bereavement Allowance

This benefit may be payable if:

  • Your spouse died on or after 9 April 2001
  • You are aged between 45-59 (if a woman) or 45-64 (if a man) when your spouse died
  • Your spouse satisfied the correct national insurance conditions or your spouse died as a result of an industrial injury or disease
  • Amount: It is paid at a maximum weekly rate of £82.05 but is paid at a reduced rate if you were under 55 when your spouse died.

To claim you need to complete a BB1 form, obtainable from all Department for Work & Pensions offices.

More information about Bereavement Allowance is available on the Directgov website.

Social Fund funeral expenses payments

You may be entitled to this benefit in the following circumstances:

  • You must be in receipt of Income Support, Housing Benefit, Council Tax Benefit, income-based Jobseekers Allowance, Pension Credit, Child Tax Credit (paid at a rate above the family element) or Working Tax Credit (if disabled)
  • You are responsible for the funeral expenses
  • You claim within 3 months of the funeral
  • The funeral takes place in UK
  • Amount: The payment will cover the costs of purchasing a burial plot, cremation fees, and costs of documentation for the release of assets, reasonable costs of transport in excess of 50 miles, up to £700 for any other expenses.

However, awards can be reduced if the deceased had any assets.

To claim you need to complete a BB1 form, obtainable from all Department for Work & Pensions offices

More information about Social Fund funeral expenses payments is available on the Directgov website.

More advice and information

If you want individual advice about bereavement benefits, other benefits or tax credit issues, Wirral Welfare Rights Unit is there to help all Wirral residents.  Please contact:

Wirral Welfare Rights Unit
Conway Building
Conway Street
Birkenhead
CH41 6LA

Tel. (0151) 666 4570