Guide
How to tell the DWP someone has died
The DWP handles the State Pension and most benefits. Telling them promptly stops overpayments that would otherwise have to be repaid from the estate.
At a glance
- Use Tell Us Once if it’s available — it reports to the DWP automatically.
- If not, call the DWP Bereavement Service to report the death.
- They’ll stop or adjust State Pension and benefit payments.
Step by step
- Use Tell Us Once if it’s available — it reports to the DWP automatically.
- If not, call the DWP Bereavement Service to report the death.
- They’ll stop or adjust State Pension and benefit payments.
- Ask whether you (as a spouse or partner) qualify for Bereavement Support Payment.
What they’ll ask you for
- The person’s National Insurance number
- Their date of birth and date of death
- Details of the benefits or pension they received
Good to know
Claim Bereavement Support Payment within 3 months to receive the full payment. Claims are usually accepted up to 21 months after the death, but later claims receive less. Married and civil partners may qualify, as may some cohabiting partners who were pregnant or responsible for a child.
Where to go
The official UK services and trusted support for this — so you can act, not just read.
Common questions
- Do I still need to call the DWP if I used Tell Us Once?
- Usually not. Tell Us Once reports the death to DWP in England, Scotland and Wales. Contact DWP directly if the person lived in Northern Ireland, or if a child or baby died and your own benefits may change.
- What happens to an overpaid pension?
- Any State Pension paid for the period after the death usually has to be repaid from the estate, which is why reporting it quickly matters.
General information to help you find your way — not legal or financial advice. Last reviewed June 2026.