DWP after a death: PIP and Attendance Allowance need their own call

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is one of the most important organisations to notify when someone dies. DWP administers State Pension, Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Personal Independence Payment, and dozens of other benefits – all of which must be stopped promptly after a death. Payments that continue after death create overpayments, and the estate is responsible for returning them.

The DWP is also the gateway to financial support for the person left behind. The surviving partner may be entitled to Bereavement Support Payment, and if they are struggling with funeral costs, they may be eligible for a Funeral Expenses Payment. Neither is automatic – both require a claim.

This guide covers the complete picture: how to report the death, which route is fastest, which benefits need separate notification, what happens with overpayments, what survivors can claim, and what to do if you’re on a joint Universal Credit claim.

If you are working through all the notifications you need to make, our who do I need to notify? checklist tool generates a personalised list covering banks, utilities, insurers, telecoms, and government services.

Tell Us Once: the fastest route

For most people, a single step covers the majority of DWP benefits: Tell Us Once. This is the government notification service that runs through the register office when you register the death. The registrar will offer to complete it with you on the spot, or give you a reference number to use online or by phone within 28 days.

When you complete Tell Us Once, it notifies DWP automatically across a range of benefits:

(Source: gov.uk – organisations you need to contact and Tell Us Once)

Tell Us Once is a common source of confusion: many people assume completing it means DWP is fully notified. It handles the main income replacement benefits, but it does not cover disability benefits or Carer’s Allowance. If the person who died was receiving DLA, PIP, or Attendance Allowance – or if you were receiving Carer’s Allowance because of them – you need to make separate calls.

Tell Us Once is also only available for deaths registered in England, Scotland, and Wales. If the deceased was living in Northern Ireland, you will need to contact each government department individually. The Northern Ireland Bereavement Service can be reached on 0800 085 2463.

How to contact DWP directly

If you cannot use Tell Us Once – for example, if you are past the 28-day window, the deceased was living abroad, or you prefer to call – contact the DWP Bereavement Service directly:

• Telephone: 0800 151 2012 (free from landlines and mobiles)
• Welsh language: 0800 731 0453
• Relay UK: 18001 then 0800 151 2012
• BSL video relay: available via interpreterslive.co.uk
• Hours: Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm

In a single call, the Bereavement Service can cancel all the benefits the person who died was receiving (including State Pension, Universal Credit, ESA, and others), check whether you are entitled to any survivor benefits, and take an initial claim for Bereavement Support Payment or Funeral Expenses Payment if you are eligible.

(Source: gov.uk – report the death without a Tell Us Once reference number)

What to have ready before you call:

• The deceased’s National Insurance number
• The date of death
• The deceased’s date of birth
• Your own name, address, and contact number
• Your own National Insurance number (if you want to discuss survivor entitlements)
• Bank account details (if you want to make a claim for bereavement benefits)

If the deceased was living abroad when they died, contact the International Pension Centre instead: +44 191 206 9390.

Benefits that stop on death

The following DWP benefits stop on the date of death and must be reported promptly. If you delay, overpayments accumulate and the estate must repay them.

State Pension stops on the date of death. Payments already in transit may arrive in the deceased’s bank account after the death date – these are overpayments and must be returned. DWP will contact the estate with details. For information on what happens to the deceased’s pension entitlement, and whether the surviving partner can inherit any of it, see our guide to State Pension after death.

Pension Credit stops on the date of death. If it was a joint claim, the surviving partner’s entitlement will be reassessed as a single claim. They may still qualify – call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 731 0469 to check.

Universal Credit stops on the date of death. If the deceased was on a joint claim, see the section on joint Universal Credit below.

Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) stops on the date of death.

Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA) stops on the date of death.

Income Support stops on the date of death.

Personal Independence Payment (PIP) stops on the date of death. PIP is not covered by Tell Us Once – call the PIP enquiry line on 0800 121 4433 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm). For what the estate is owed, how overpayments are recovered, and appointee arrangements, see our full guide on what happens to PIP when someone dies.

Disability Living Allowance (DLA) stops on the date of death. Not covered by Tell Us Once – call DWP Disability Service Centre on 0800 121 4600 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm). If the higher rate mobility component was being used to fund a car, scooter, or powered wheelchair through the Motability Scheme, that is a separate arrangement to sort out directly with Motability – see what happens to a Motability car when someone dies.

Attendance Allowance stops on the date of death. Not covered by Tell Us Once – call the Attendance Allowance helpline on 0800 731 0122 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

Carer’s Allowance – if the deceased was receiving Carer’s Allowance for looking after someone else, that stops on the date of death. If you were the one receiving Carer’s Allowance to care for the person who has now died, different rules apply: see the section below on Carer’s Allowance bereavement run-on.

All helplines for disability benefits are free from landlines and mobiles. Relay UK is available for all of them.

Carer’s Allowance: the bereavement run-on

If you were receiving Carer’s Allowance because you cared for the person who has now died, the rules are different from other benefits.

Carer’s Allowance continues for up to eight weeks after the death. You do not need to take any action to receive this – the run-on happens automatically once you report the death. After the eight-week period, Carer’s Allowance will stop.

You must still report the death to the Carer’s Allowance Unit, as they are separate from the main DWP Bereavement Service and are not notified by Tell Us Once. Call 0800 731 0297 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

If you are claiming Universal Credit and it includes the carer element, that carer element continues through the rest of the assessment period in which the death occurred and for the following two assessment periods.

(Source: Marie Curie – benefits after death)

Joint Universal Credit claims

If the deceased was part of a joint Universal Credit claim with a surviving partner, the DWP process works as follows:

Once the death is reported (via Tell Us Once or directly), DWP will contact the surviving partner to reassess their entitlement as a single claim. The surviving partner should not need to reclaim from scratch – the existing claim transitions to a single claim.

Bereavement run-on: For the assessment period in which the death occurs, and the two assessment periods that follow, Universal Credit may continue at the rate that applied when the deceased was part of the household. This transitional period is designed to prevent an immediate sharp drop in income. After the run-on period, payments are recalculated based on the surviving partner’s circumstances as a single claimant.

Work-related requirements: A bereaved Universal Credit claimant is not required to look for work for six months after the death of a partner or child. Sanctions cannot be applied during this period. This is automatic – you do not need to request an exemption.

If the surviving partner’s income drops significantly as a result of the death, they may also want to check entitlement to Pension Credit (if they are over State Pension age) or request a reassessment of their Housing Benefit.

Benefits the survivor may be able to claim

When a partner or family member dies, the surviving person may be eligible for financial support through DWP. None of these are automatic – all require a claim.

Bereavement Support Payment

Bereavement Support Payment is the main benefit for surviving spouses and civil partners. Qualifying cohabiting partners may also be eligible if they were receiving (or entitled to) Child Benefit for a shared child, or were pregnant at the time.

Eligibility: You must have been under State Pension age when your partner died, and they must have paid a certain amount of Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions in at least one tax year since 6 April 1975 – or died as a result of a workplace accident or occupational disease. You must have been living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits.

Rates:

• Higher rate (if you were receiving Child Benefit, or were pregnant): £3,500 lump sum + £350 per month for 18 months
• Lower rate: £2,500 lump sum + £100 per month for 18 months

The payments are tax-free and do not count as income for Universal Credit purposes.

Claim deadline: You can claim up to 21 months after the death. Claim within three months to receive the full 18 monthly payments; a later claim means you receive fewer monthly payments (the total period runs from the date of death, not the date of claim).

How to claim: Online at gov.uk, by calling the Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012, or by post using form BSP1. You will need the deceased’s National Insurance number, the date of death, and your own bank details.

(Source: gov.uk – Bereavement Support Payment)

Funeral Expenses Payment

Funeral Expenses Payment is a grant from the DWP Social Fund to help with funeral costs. It is available to people on qualifying benefits who are arranging a funeral in the UK, EEA, or Switzerland.

Eligibility: You must be receiving Universal Credit, income-related ESA, Pension Credit, Housing Benefit, or Support for Mortgage Interest. You must be the partner of the deceased, or – if no partner exists, or they cannot claim – a close family member or friend.

What it covers: Burial or cremation fees, some travel costs, death certificates and other documents, and up to £1,000 towards other funeral costs (such as the funeral director’s fees, flowers, or a coffin). It will not cover all costs – the average UK funeral costs significantly more – but it can make a meaningful difference.

Claim deadline: You must apply within six months of the funeral, even if you are still waiting for a benefits decision. Apply with an invoice or signed contract from the funeral director (not an estimate).

How to claim: Call 0800 151 2012 or use form SF200 by post.

(Source: gov.uk – Funeral Expenses Payment)

Pension Credit for the survivor

If the deceased was the higher earner and the surviving partner is over State Pension age, their income may drop sharply. Pension Credit tops up weekly income to a minimum guaranteed level. It is worth checking even if the survivor was not previously claiming it, as the means-test is reassessed based on the new single-person income.

Call the Pension Credit helpline on 0800 731 0469 (Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm).

Guardian’s Allowance

If you are bringing up a child whose parents have both died, you may be eligible for Guardian’s Allowance – £22.95 per week (2025/26), paid on top of Child Benefit. Note that Guardian’s Allowance is administered by HMRC, not DWP – see gov.uk/guardians-allowance for how to claim.

Widowed Parent’s Allowance

This is a legacy benefit for people whose partner died before 6 April 2017 and who were receiving Child Benefit at the time. It has been replaced by Bereavement Support Payment for new claimants, but existing recipients continue to receive it. The DWP Bereavement Service can advise if this applies to your situation.

Overpayments: what to do if DWP writes to you

Receiving a letter from DWP about benefit overpayments is a normal part of estate administration – it does not mean the deceased did anything wrong. Overpayments arise because DWP pays benefits in advance or in arrears, and payments already in transit at the point of death continue briefly before they can be stopped.

The estate is liable for repayment, not you personally. As executor or administrator, your obligation is to repay from the estate’s assets, not from your own pocket – provided you have not already distributed the estate.

Do not distribute the estate until you know what DWP is claiming. If you pay out to beneficiaries before the overpayment is settled, you may become personally liable for the amount owed. This is one of the most important rules in estate administration.

(Source: gov.uk – benefit overpayments: repayments when someone has died)

Cooperate promptly with DWP Debt Management. Once probate is granted, DWP may contact you requesting bank statements, building society passbooks, or other information about the estate’s assets. Respond promptly. If you do not provide the information requested, DWP is entitled to calculate the overpayment based on the full gross probate figure – the estate value before any deductions. This is always less favourable than providing the actual figures.

Do not spend money received after the death date. If DWP payments continued into the deceased’s bank account after the death, leave them untouched. They are overpayments and must be refunded once DWP calculates what is owed.

If you believe the figure is wrong, you can request a mandatory reconsideration. Write to DWP explaining your grounds and include any supporting evidence. Regional addresses for DWP Debt Management:

• England and Wales: DWP Debt Management (RE), Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2DG
• Scotland: DWP Debt Management (RE), Mail Handling Site A, Wolverhampton WV98 2DH

For most estates, the overpayment is modest – typically a few weeks of benefit payments. Treat it as a standard estate debt, keep records, and do not let it delay the rest of the administration.

What documents DWP needs

Whether you are calling to cancel benefits or making a claim, have the following ready:

• Death certificate – you will need to quote the date and registration details
• Deceased’s National Insurance number – found on payslips, tax letters, or the P60
• Deceased’s date of birth and address
• Your own name, address, and contact number
• Your own National Insurance number (if making a survivor benefit claim)
• Bank or building society details (sort code and account number) for any benefit payments you are claiming
• Funeral invoice or signed contract (if claiming Funeral Expenses Payment)

You do not typically need to send the original death certificate in the post – DWP will usually accept the details over the phone and may request a copy later if needed.

How long it takes

There is no single timeline that applies to all DWP interactions after a death. As a general guide:

• Cancellation of benefits via Tell Us Once or the Bereavement Service: immediate on notification; any final payments in transit may take 1–2 weeks to stop
• Bereavement Support Payment: typically 4–6 weeks from claim to first payment; backlogs vary
• Funeral Expenses Payment: DWP aims to process claims within a few weeks; delays occur during busy periods
• Overpayment letters: may arrive weeks or months after probate is granted; typically issued after DWP receives notification from the probate registry

If you have not heard from DWP about an expected payment within 8 weeks of claiming, call 0800 151 2012 to chase.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to contact DWP if I’ve already used Tell Us Once?

For most benefits, Tell Us Once is sufficient. However, if the deceased was receiving DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance, or Carer’s Allowance, you must call the relevant helpline separately – Tell Us Once does not cover these. If you are unsure what benefits the deceased was receiving, call the DWP Bereavement Service on 0800 151 2012 and they will check all current entitlements on their system.

What happens if DWP keeps paying after the death is reported?

This can happen – particularly in the first few days while the notification is processed. Do not spend any payments that arrive after the date of death. DWP will calculate the overpayment once the account is closed and will write to the estate with repayment details.

Can DWP claim back more than the estate is worth?

No. DWP can only recover what the estate holds. If the estate has no assets, there is nothing to recover. However, if you distribute the estate before settling the overpayment, you may become personally liable for the shortfall.

Can cohabiting partners claim Bereavement Support Payment?

Since February 2023, cohabiting partners can claim Bereavement Support Payment, but only if – at the time of the death – you were receiving or entitled to Child Benefit for a shared child, or you were pregnant. Cohabiting partners without children remain ineligible. (Source: gov.uk – Bereavement Support Payment eligibility)

What is the deadline for claiming Bereavement Support Payment?

You have 21 months from the date of death to make a claim. However, if you claim after three months, you will receive fewer monthly payments – the 18-month payment run starts from the date of death, not the date of claim. Claim as soon as possible to maximise what you receive.

Does Child Benefit stop automatically when a child’s parent dies?

Child Benefit is administered by HMRC, not DWP. Tell Us Once does notify HMRC, but Child Benefit is normally paid to the surviving parent and continues unless their circumstances change. If you need to update a Child Benefit claim after a death, contact HMRC directly on 0300 200 3100.

What happens to PIP or DLA payments in the bank after the death?

Any PIP or DLA payments received after the date of death are overpayments. Leave them in the account, contact the relevant DWP helpline to report the death, and follow their instructions for returning the money. Do not spend them.

Summary and key contacts

The main message: use Tell Us Once when you register the death. It handles State Pension, Pension Credit, Universal Credit, ESA, JSA, and Income Support in a single step.

For benefits not covered by Tell Us Once – DLA, PIP, Attendance Allowance, and Carer’s Allowance – call the relevant helpline separately:

The DWP Bereavement Service (0800 151 2012, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm) is the central contact for everything else: reporting the death, checking what benefits were in payment, and starting survivor benefit claims. If you are unsure where to begin, call them.

Phone numbers and processes last verified: June 2026, from gov.uk/after-a-death and gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment.

Related guides: Tell Us Once explained | Bereavement Support Payment | Funeral Expenses Payment | State Pension after death | How to notify HMRC