Bereavement Benefits

Bereavement benefits provide support with meeting the costs related to the death of a close relative or friend.

The Bereavement Service offers relatives a single point of contact for reporting a death to the Department for Communities and helps them access any other benefits they may be entitled to.

Bereavement Support Payment

Anyone under State Pension age may be able to get a Bereavement Support Payment to help with costs caused by the death of a spouse or civil partner where the date of death was on or after 6 April 2017. Those whose partner died before that date may be eligible for Widowed Parent's Allowance.

More information about Bereavement Support Payment, and an application form, can be accessed at nidirect:

Funeral Expenses Payment

A Funeral Expenses Payment can be paid out of the Social Fund to support those on certain low-income benefits that need help to pay for a funeral of someone close to them. Some or all of the payment may subsequently have to be repaid from the deceased person’s estate.

More information about Funeral Expenses Payment, and an application form, can be accessed at nidirect:

 

Widowed Parent's Allowance

Widowed Parent's Allowance may still be paid to some parents whose husband, wife or civil partner died on or before 5 April 2017. They must have at least one child for whom they receive Child Benefit.

More information about Widowed Parent's Allowance can be accessed at nidirect: