Bereavement

Financial help if your partner passes away

Universal Credit

If you were claiming Universal Credit as a couple and your partner passes away, you can continue receiving the couple’s rate of Universal Credit for the rest of the current assessment period and the next two full assessment periods. To make sure this happens, you should tell your work coach or the DWP about the bereavement.

You don’t need to make a brand new claim for Universal Credit, but you must let Universal Credit know that you’re now a single claimant. They can then update your existing claim.

Council Tax

If you get a Council Tax Reduction and your partner was the one responsible for claiming this, you may need to make a new claim for Council Tax Reduction in your own name.

Funeral Support Payment

You may also be able to get a Funeral Support Payment from Social Security Scotland, if you live in Scotland and are on a low income.

Bereavement Support Payment

If you qualify for Bereavement Support Payment, you can apply straight away. It won’t affect your Universal Credit payments, and the larger first payment won’t be included in the calculation of your Universal Credit. After 12 months if you still have some of that money, it may start to count as savings and could affect your Universal Credit.

Specialist bereavement services

If you are experiencing the loss of a loved one, there are specialist services that can offer you support:

• Cruse Scotland has posts to help people experiencing bereavement, and those who are finding that feelings of grief from the past are re-emerging.
• Winston’s Wish provides support and information for children and young people up to the age of 25 affected by bereavement.

Tell Us Once: Reporting a death to government services

The Tell Us Once service helps you inform multiple organisations about a death, so you don’t have to contact each one individually. It’s available in England, Scotland and Wales.

How can I use Tell Us Once?

The service is explained when you register the death with a registrar.

• The registrar can either complete the service with you or give you a reference number to use online or over the phone.
• You must use the service within 28 days of getting this reference number.

You can use Tell Us Once if:

• The person who died was living in England, Scotland or Wales (including if they died temporarily abroad).
• The death is registered, or you have an interim death certificate from a coroner.

You cannot use Tell Us Once if:

• The person lived in Northern Ireland or abroad permanently.

What information do I need in order to use Tell Us Once?

• The Tell Us Once reference number from the registrar.
• Details of the person who died (name, date of death, National Insurance number, passport or driving licence if available).
• Information about the executor, next of kin, or surviving spouse or civil partner.
• Details of any benefits, public sector pensions, council services, or vehicles they had.

You must have permission from relevant people (such as their next of kin or executor) before sharing their information.

Organisations Tell Us Once will notify

• HMRC – to cancel personal tax, benefits and tax credits
• DWP – to stop benefits like Universal Credit or State Pension
• Passport Office – to cancel a British passport
• DVLA – to cancel a driving licence, remove the person as vehicle keeper, and end vehicle tax
• Local council – to update Housing Benefit, Council Tax, Blue Badge, electoral register, and other services
• Veterans UK – to update Armed Forces pensions or compensation
• Public sector pension schemes, such as Scottish Public Pension Agency (NHS, teachers, police, firefighters), Local Government Pension Schemes (LGPS), Pension Protection Fund and Financial Assistance Scheme.

After using Tell Us Once:

You’ll still need to contact some organisations directly, such as:

• Banks or building societies
• Mortgage or insurance providers
• Utility companies or landlords
• Private or workplace pension schemes not covered by Tell Us Once
• HMRC (for business taxes) or DVLA (if selling or transferring a vehicle)

You can find more information and start the service through the government website.