Bereavement Allowance
Purpose of Payment/Benefit
To provide short term financial assistance (of up to 14 weeks) for recently widowed persons.Eligibility
To qualify for Bereavement Allowance (BVA), a person must be:- recently widowed, and
- not a member of a couple, and
- not qualified for Parenting Payment.
Rates
BVA is a fortnightly payment paid for a maximum 14 weeks (although this may be extended for pregnant women) from the date of death of the spouse. It is subject to the pension income and asset tests and is paid at the same rate as the pension.If the person claims BVA within 4 weeks of their spouse's death, payment can be made from the date of death.