Bereavement, Death & Family Financial Support
Advanced Claimant Protection, Legal Rights, Evidence Standards and Accountability Handbook
The death of a family member, partner, child, relative, friend or loved one can be one of the most difficult experiences a person may face.
Alongside grief and emotional distress, there are often legal, financial and administrative responsibilities that need attention.
Government departments, including the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), local authorities and other public services, have processes in place to help manage changes following a death.
People experiencing bereavement should be treated with dignity, compassion, fairness and respect.
Public services should operate in accordance with:
• Social Security legislation
• Equality legislation
• Human rights principles
• Accessibility obligations
• Safeguarding responsibilities
• Administrative law standards
What To Do When Someone Dies
The steps required following a death may vary depending on circumstances.
Common actions include:
• Obtaining a medical certificate of cause of death
• Registering the death
• Informing relevant government departments
• Contacting financial institutions
• Managing benefits and pensions
• Arranging a funeral
• Seeking emotional and practical support
Official Information:
When Someone Dies – GOV.UK Guide
Registering a Death
A death normally needs to be registered within the legal timescales applicable in the relevant part of the UK.
Registration is usually carried out through the local register office.
The registration process helps create official records and allows relevant services to be informed.
Official Information:
Tell Us Once Service
The Government's Tell Us Once service may allow people to report a death to multiple government organisations at the same time.
This may help notify:
• DWP
• HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
• Driver and Vehicle Licensing Agency (DVLA)
• Passport Office
• Local authority services
Availability may vary depending on circumstances.
Official Information:
Informing the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)
The DWP may need to be informed where the deceased person was receiving:
• State Pension
• Pension Credit
• Universal Credit
• Personal Independence Payment (PIP)
• Attendance Allowance
• Employment and Support Allowance (ESA)
• Carer's Allowance
• Other DWP-administered benefits
Prompt notification can help prevent administrative difficulties and overpayments.
Bereavement Support Payment
Bereavement Support Payment may be available to some eligible surviving spouses or civil partners.
Eligibility criteria apply.
Official Information:
Support for Partners, Spouses and Civil Partners
Following a bereavement, financial circumstances may change significantly.
Support may involve:
• Bereavement Support Payment
• Universal Credit
• Housing support
• Council Tax support
• Pension-related support
• Other financial assistance
Eligibility depends on individual circumstances.
Support for Children and Families
Bereavement can affect children and young people emotionally, socially and financially.
Support may include:
• Child-related benefit support
• Educational support
• Family support services
• Counselling services
• Local authority support
Parents, guardians and carers may wish to seek advice regarding entitlement changes following a bereavement.
Funeral Expenses and Financial Assistance
Some people may qualify for help with funeral costs through government support schemes.
Eligibility conditions apply.
Official Information:
State Pension and Bereavement
Bereavement may affect:
• State Pension entitlement
• Pension Credit entitlement
• Survivor benefits
• Pension-related calculations
Individuals should seek advice if unsure about their position.
Official Information:
Universal Credit Following Bereavement
Bereavement may affect:
• Household composition
• Housing costs
• Caring responsibilities
• Childcare arrangements
• Income levels
Relevant changes should generally be reported to the DWP.
Official Information:
Carers and Bereavement
Bereavement may affect entitlement to:
• Carer's Allowance
• Universal Credit carer elements
• Other support linked to caring responsibilities
Advice may be helpful where caring arrangements change following a death.
Official Information:
Accessibility Rights
People experiencing bereavement may have disabilities, health conditions or communication needs.
The DWP should provide accessible services where required.
Support may include:
• Large print documents
• Braille documents
• Audio formats
• Easy Read information
• Alternative communication methods
• British Sign Language (BSL) support
• Telephone support
Official Information:
Reasonable Adjustments
People with disabilities or health conditions may request reasonable adjustments.
Examples may include:
• Additional appointment support
• Alternative communication formats
• Longer appointment times
• Telephone appointments where appropriate
• Communication support services
• Accessibility assistance
People should not be disadvantaged because of disability or health conditions.
Safeguarding Responsibilities
Bereavement can increase vulnerability.
Public authorities should consider safeguarding where a person:
• Is experiencing severe emotional distress
• Has significant mental health difficulties
• Has learning disabilities
• Has cognitive impairments
• Has communication barriers
• Is vulnerable to exploitation
• Requires support understanding processes
Safeguarding considerations should form part of service delivery.
Evidence Standards
It may be useful to keep copies of:
✓ Death certificates
✓ Benefit correspondence
✓ Pension documents
✓ Funeral-related paperwork
✓ Financial records
✓ Housing documents
✓ DWP letters
✓ Complaint correspondence
Good records can assist with resolving future issues.
Your Rights
People dealing with bereavement have rights including:
✓ Fair treatment
✓ Respect and dignity
✓ Accessible communication
✓ Reasonable adjustments
✓ Protection from discrimination
✓ Access to information
✓ Access to support services
✓ Safeguarding consideration
✓ Access to complaints procedures
✓ Access to appeals and review mechanisms
Challenging DWP Decisions
If a DWP decision following bereavement appears incorrect:
Step 1 – Mandatory Reconsideration
https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration
Step 2 – Appeal
https://www.gov.uk/appeal-benefit-decision
Independent advice may be beneficial.
Complaints About DWP Services
If you are unhappy with the service received, you may be able to:
• Request an explanation
• Make a complaint
• Seek independent advice
• Contact your MP
• Escalate concerns through appropriate channels
Official Information:
Emotional Wellbeing and Bereavement Support
Grief affects people differently.
Support may be available through:
• GP services
• Bereavement counselling
• Community mental health services
• Charities and support groups
• Religious or community organisations
Provides bereavement support, information and guidance.
Confidential emotional support.
Telephone: 116 123
Available 24 hours a day.
NHS Bereavement Support Information
Independent Advice Organisations
Practical Protection Checklist
✓ Register the death promptly where required.
✓ Use Tell Us Once if available.
✓ Inform relevant organisations.
✓ Keep copies of all paperwork.
✓ Seek advice regarding benefits and pensions.
✓ Request reasonable adjustments if needed.
✓ Seek emotional support where appropriate.
✓ Keep records of DWP communications.
✓ Challenge incorrect decisions.
✓ Ask for help if processes feel overwhelming.
Advanced Accountability Framework
The DWP and other public authorities are accountable through:
• Social Security legislation
• Equality legislation
• Human Rights legislation
• Public Sector Equality Duty
• Ombudsman investigations
• Tribunal oversight
• Parliamentary scrutiny
• Administrative law principles
Claimants are entitled to expect services that are:
✓ Lawful
✓ Fair
✓ Accessible
✓ Compassionate
✓ Transparent
✓ Evidence-based
✓ Non-discriminatory
✓ Properly reasoned
Key Message
Bereavement can create emotional, financial and practical challenges. Government services, including the DWP, should provide support in a manner that respects dignity, accessibility, equality and safeguarding principles. Financial support may be available through Bereavement Support Payment, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, funeral expense assistance and other schemes depending on individual circumstances. Everyone has the right to accessible communication, reasonable adjustments, fair treatment, protection from discrimination and access to independent advice and support regardless of sex, gender identity, disability, race, religion, age, sexual orientation or background.