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Bereavement advice and support

There are a range of advice and support options available to you in the event of a loved one passing away to help you with your loss.

Advice and Support

The following organisations all provide advice and support following a bereavement.

If you need help to pay for a funeral

If you're on benefits, you might be able to get help. You might be able to claim even if you weren't married or in a civil partnership with the person who died.

For more information on help paying for a funeral, contact the Advice Shop on the link at the bottom of this page.

Claiming Bereavement Support Payment

  • You need to be under State Pension age
  • Your spouse or civil partner must have paid National Insurance for at least 25 weeks in a single tax year. When you apply, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) will check to see if they paid enough National Insurance.
  • If your spouse or civil partner died because of an accident at work, or from a disease caused by their work, the rule about National Insurance doesn't apply.

How much you can get

  • If you don't have children, you can get a lump sum payment of £2,500 and monthly payments of £100 for up to 18 months.
  • If you have children or you're pregnant, you can get a lump sum payment of £3,500 and monthly payments of £350 for up to 18 months.
  • You won't have to pay tax on any of the payments, including the lump sum.
  • You won't lose your Bereavement Support Payment if you marry, enter a civil partnership or move in with a new partner.
  • You won't be paid your Bereavement Support Payment if you're given a prison sentence. If you're in prison on remand, you'll still be able to get Bereavement Support Payment unless you're later sentenced to imprisonment.
  • If you still have some of the lump sum left after a year, it could affect the amount of other benefits you can get. Your monthly payments won't affect your other benefits. 

For more information on bereavement benefits, contact the Advice Shop.

Macmillan West Lothian

Finding out that you or someone close to you has cancer can be a difficult and confusing time. There's bound to be a lot on your mind, and you may find it helpful to talk with someone who understands what you're going through. That's why we're here to help support you, so you don't have to face it alone. Please call 01506 283053 or email MacmillanWestLothian@westlothian.gov.uk (opens new window)  to find your nearest drop in visit Are you looking for information and support? .