Bereavement Allowance

Bereavement Allowance is a short-term income support payment paid to recently widowed people to help them adjust following the death of their partner.

You can receive Bereavement Allowance if:

• your partner has died
• you have not re-partnered
• your income and assets are below a certain amount
• you meet Australian residency requirements
• you lodge your claim within 4 weeks to be paid from the date your partner died, or within 14 weeks to be paid from the date you claim, unless you were pregnant when your partner died.

Bereavement Allowance is paid for up to 14 weeks after the death of your partner. If you were pregnant when your partner died you can receive Bereavement Allowance for the duration of the pregnancy. If eligible, you may also receive: 

• Rent Assistance (if eligible)
• Pension Supplement
• Remote Area Allowance

You cannot get Bereavement Allowance if you are already receiving another type of income support payment. However, if you are receiving another payment, it may be more beneficial for you to transfer to Bereavement Allowance during the 14 week period.