At present there are 3 non means tested Benefits available if your husband/ wife/ civil partner dies– Bereavement Payment, Widows Parents Allowance and Bereavement Benefit. The government is asking for your views on changes to this system which would probably come in after the next election.
The new Bereavement Payment is expected to be set at around £9,800 for a bereaved spouse or civil partner with children and £4,300 for those without children and will be paid in a lump sum, followed by instalments over 12 months. The payments will also be disregarded from Universal Credit and the Benefit Cap for a period of 12 months.