Government Bereavement Benefits After a COVID Death

You've just lost someone and the bills are already arriving — hospital invoices, funeral costs, the mortgage, car payments that used to be split. Government bereavement benefits exist in most countries, but they're scattered across different agencies with different deadlines, and nobody hands you a master list. Here's what's available, who qualifies, and how long you have to apply.

United States

Social Security Survivor Benefits. If the deceased worked long enough to earn Social Security credits (typically 10 years), surviving spouses, dependent children, and in some cases dependent parents may qualify for monthly survivor benefits. A surviving spouse can receive benefits as early as age 60 (50 if disabled), and children under 18 (or 19 if still in high school) may qualify, subject to SSA eligibility rules. Contact Social Security at 1-800-772-1213 or visit your local office. Apply promptly and ask SSA what backdating rules apply to your claim.

There is also a one-time lump-sum death payment of $255 for a qualifying surviving spouse or child. Ask SSA whether it is payable and how to claim it.

FEMA COVID-19 Funeral Assistance. This program provided up to $9,000 per deceased individual for funeral and burial expenses related to COVID-19 deaths occurring after January 20, 2020. The program is now closed to new applications as of September 30, 2025. For people who registered before the deadline, appeals of denied claims or adjustments for outstanding eligible expenses may still be processed. See our detailed breakdown of the FEMA program for what to do about pending claims.

Veterans Affairs burial benefits. If the deceased was a veteran, check with the VA to see which burial or memorial benefits may apply. Eligibility, amounts, and application requirements depend on the circumstances. These benefits are separate from FEMA assistance.

State and county programs. Some states and counties maintain indigent burial funds or emergency funeral assistance programs. Eligibility and amounts depend on the program. Contact your county's Department of Social Services or Health and Human Services.

United Kingdom

Bereavement Support Payment (BSP). If you were married to or in a civil partnership with the deceased, and they paid National Insurance contributions, you may qualify for a lump sum of up to £3,500 plus 18 monthly payments of £350 (higher rate) or a £2,500 lump sum plus 18 monthly payments of £100 (lower rate — if you don't have dependent children). Apply within 3 months of the death for the full amount; applications between 3 and 21 months receive reduced payments. Apply through the DWP Bereavement Service at 0800 731 0469 or online.

Funeral Expenses Payment. A means-tested benefit for families on qualifying benefits (Universal Credit, Pension Credit, Income Support, income-based JSA/ESA, Housing Benefit, or Child Tax Credit). Covers the full cost of burial or cremation fees, plus up to £1,000 for other funeral expenses. Must apply within 6 months of the funeral date using Form SF200 or by calling the DWP Bereavement Service. The payment is technically recoverable from the deceased's estate.

Canada

Canada Pension Plan (CPP) Death Benefit. The basic one-time benefit is $2,500, paid to the estate or an eligible applicant. A $2,500 top-up (maximum $5,000 total) may apply only if the deceased never received a CPP/QPP retirement or disability benefit and left no surviving spouse or common-law partner eligible for a standard CPP survivor's pension. The executor should apply within 60 days. If no estate exists or the executor does not apply within that window, eligible applicants may apply in this order: the funeral payer, the surviving spouse or common-law partner, then next of kin. Apply through Service Canada online or at a Service Canada Centre.

CPP Survivor's Pension. Monthly payments to an eligible surviving spouse or common-law partner. The amount depends on the contributor's earnings and the survivor's age. It can be combined with your own CPP retirement pension, subject to a maximum. Apply through Service Canada and ask how far payments can be backdated.

Old Age Security (OAS) Survivor's Allowance. For surviving spouses aged 60–64 who meet low-income criteria. This is separate from CPP and has its own application through Service Canada.

Australia

Bereavement Payment (Centrelink). If both partners had received an eligible income support payment or pension for at least 12 months, the surviving partner may receive a lump-sum bereavement payment. It is calculated over 14 weeks from the date of death and usually equals the difference between the couple's combined rate and the survivor's new single rate. Contact Centrelink to report the death and ask which payment applies.

Department of Veterans' Affairs. If the deceased was a veteran, DVA provides funeral benefits, compensation for dependents, and ongoing support. Contact DVA or visit a Veterans' Access Network office.

The Timeline That Matters

Most of these programs have strict application windows that start from the date of death, not the date you feel ready:

The After a Pandemic Death toolkit includes a benefits claims matrix that maps every program across US, UK, Canada, and Australia to its deadline, required documents, and application method — printable, so you can check off each one as you go.