This information applies to England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland
You may be able to get a Bereavement Payment. This will depend on the amount of national insurance contributions your wife paid, whether or not she was entitled to a Retirement Pension when she died and if you are under 65. A Bereavement Payment is a one off, tax free payment of £2,000.
You may also be able to get Widowed Parent’s Allowance. This will depend on the amount of your late wife’s national insurance contributions, whether you are under 65 and whether you have a child or children eligible for Child Benefit.
If you were aged 45 or over but under 65 when your wife died (and she met the national insurance contribution conditions), but you are not getting Widowed Parent's Allowance, and you are still under 65, you may be entitled to Bereavement Allowance. This is a weekly benefit which is paid for 52 weeks after the death of your spouse.
Bereavement benefits are not means-tested. This means that any savings or income you have are not taken into account when you apply.
If you rent your home, you might also be entitled to Housing Benefit or Council Tax Benefit.
You will be entitled to Child Benefit for your children and may also be entitled to Child Tax Credit. If you cannot get bereavement benefits, you may be able to get Income Support as a single parent, or you may be able to get this on top of your bereavement benefits.
If you own your own home and you receive Income Support, you may be entitled to help with your housing costs. However, this help may not be available immediately.
If your wife was in paid work, you may also be due a tax repayment.
There are organisations that can offer counselling and support for people who have experienced a bereavement.
For more information about bereavement benefits, see Benefits and bereavement.
For more information about Income Support, see Help for people on a low income – Income Support.
For more information about Council Tax Benefit, see Help with your council tax – Council Tax Benefit.
For more information about Housing Benefit, see Help with your rent - Housing Benefit.
For more information about Child Tax Credit and Child Benefit, see Benefits for families and children.
In England and Wales, for more information about tax repayments, see Dealing with the financial affairs of someone who has died.
For more information on counselling and support for bereavement, see What to do after a death.
Disclaimer, copyright and privacy policy, Copyright © 2012 Citizens Advice. All rights reserved.
