Bereavement Payment

You may be eligible for Bereavement Payment if either:

• your partner dies and when they died you were both receiving:
  • a pension from us or the Department of Veterans' Affairs, or
  • a benefit such as Newstart Allowance or Parenting Payment for at least 12 months
• you are caring for an adult or child who dies and you were receiving Carer Payment for them
• you are receiving Carer Allowance for an adult who dies, and an income support payment (other than Carer Payment) that does not qualify you for a bereavement payment
• you are receiving Carer Allowance for a Family Tax Benefit eligible child who dies
• you are receiving, or are qualified to receive, Family Tax Benefit for a child who dies

If you are the carer or parent of a child who dies and you were receiving, or were qualified to receive, Parental Leave Pay, Baby Bonus, or Maternity Immunisation Allowance for the child who died, you may still be eligible to receive these payments.

For some payments such as Carer Payment, Wife Pension, Partner Allowance or Parenting Payment, the payment may continue for 14 weeks following the death, to give you time to seek other income support if necessary.  You may still be able to receive Baby Bonus, Parental Leave Pay or Dad and Partner Pay for a child who has died.

The Bereavement Payment you receive will depend on individual circumstances.

Read more about Bereavement Payment rates

Generally you will not need to lodge a claim for Bereavement Payment.  Please contact us about the death, and we will help you with what payments you may be entitled to receive.

Stillbirth or infant death

In the case of stillbirth or infant death you may need to lodge a Claim for Bereavement Payment form to receive Parental Leave Pay, Baby Bonus, Maternity Immunisation Allowance or Family Tax Benefit.

To receive Dad and Partner Pay, the dad or partner can make a claim by lodging a Claim for Dad and Partner Pay form. You may work or take paid leave and still receive Parental Leave Pay or Dad and Partner Pay.

Family Tax Benefit including Bereavement Payment, large family supplement, and multiple birth allowance is not payable for children who are stillborn, however may be claimed for children who die after birth.

Supporting documentation

You will also need to provide proof of the person’s death, usually a death certificate.

Submit your claim

If you are required to submit a claim, take your completed forms, proof of death and any other documents we have asked for to your nearest service centre.

Claim outcome

We will inform you whether your claim is successful. If you are eligible for Bereavement Payment, we will tell you when your payment will start and how much you will get paid.

If you are claiming the Pension Bonus Bereavement Payment, it must be lodged within 26 weeks of your partner's death.

You always have the right to appeal any decision we make. Read more about reviews and appeals.