Everything you need to know about Form BSP1

What is Form BSP1?

Form BSP1 is the UK Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claim form for Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) — the tax-free benefit paid to the surviving spouse or civil partner of someone who died on or after 6 April 2017. Bereavement Support Payment replaced the older Bereavement Payment, Bereavement Allowance, and Widowed Parent's Allowance for deaths from that date. BSP consists of a one-off lump sum followed by 18 monthly instalments and is paid at either the standard rate or the higher rate depending on whether the claimant has dependent children.

Who can claim Bereavement Support Payment?

You can claim BSP if your husband, wife, or civil partner died on or after 6 April 2017, you were under State Pension age when they died, you were living in the UK (or a country that pays bereavement benefits) at the time of their death, and your deceased partner either paid Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year during their working life, or died from a work-related accident or disease. Cohabiting partners who were not married or in a civil partnership can only claim if they had children with the deceased and meet certain other conditions established by more recent case law and regulations.

When should you claim?

Claim within three months of the death to receive the full 18 monthly instalments and the lump sum. Claims made between three and 12 months after death receive fewer instalments; claims made more than 12 months after death may still receive some months of payment but the lump sum may be reduced. It's much easier to claim as soon as possible after the death — the DWP can request evidence of the marriage/civil partnership, the deceased partner's National Insurance record, and the death certificate.

What information will you need?

The deceased partner's full name, date of birth, date of death, and National Insurance number; the death certificate reference; your marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate; details of any children you have with the deceased partner (for the higher rate); your own bank account details for payment; and your National Insurance number. Attach copies (never originals) of supporting documents when submitting the paper form.