Care and support

Do bereavement benefits affect other social security benefits?

You cannot get widowed parent’s allowance and bereavement allowance, (or widowed mother’s allowance and widow’s pension) while you are getting at least the same amount from the following benefits: (this is known as the overlapping benefit rule)

• incapacity benefit
• carer’s allowance
• severe disablement allowance
• maternity allowance
• contribution based jobseeker’s allowance
• retirement pension
• unemployability supplement in industrial injuries and war pensions schemes

If you are on a low income you may be entitled to means-tested benefits, which can be paid in addition to bereavement benefits. You may be able to claim income support, to top up a low income, or other benefits like housing/council tax benefit to help pay your rent and council tax. A bereavement payment is counted as capital for the purpose of most means-tested benefits and widowed parent’s allowance and bereavement allowance are counted as income.

If you are aged 60 or over you may be able to get pension credit.

Remember that you will need to inform the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and H.M. Revenue and Customs of the death of your spouse / civil partner if either of you were in receipt of benefits and tax credits when they died. Their death will affect your entitlement to certain benefits.