Bereavement support payment
If you are the next of kin of someone who was receiving a benefit and then passed away, you might qualify for a bereavement support payment (‘overlijdensuitkering’). This is a one-off payment to provide some financial support during this difficult time.
What happens in the event of death?
The deceased person’s benefit will stop the day after their death. You must report this death to the local council as soon as possible. We will automatically be notified of the death by the council so there is no need to contact us directly – unless you live abroad. If you live abroad, please inform us by calling our helpline. We will then decide if you qualify for a bereavement support payment. If you do, you will receive a letter from us with further details.
What are the criteria for a bereavement support benefit?
To qualify for a bereavement support payment, the deceased must have been receiving an UWV benefit. In addition, the following criteria must be met:
- You were the person’s partner.
- If there is no partner, you are the person’s minor child.
- If there is no partner and there are no minor children, you are a family member who is registered with the local council at the same address.
You are a partner if you were married to the deceased, or were the equivalent of married, had children together, were previously married or shared household expenses.
Please note: If you are younger than 18 years of age, your legal guardian (‘wettelijk vertegenwoordiger’) will need to complete this online form.
How to apply
You will receive a letter from us with a link to a form where you can apply for the payment online. It is important that you apply as soon as possible after receiving the letter.
To apply, complete the online form Bereavement support payment request (in Dutch) ('Aanvraag overlijdensuitkering'). You will need to log in to Mijn UWV using either your DigiD account or a valid European electronic ID (‘Europees erkend inlogmiddel’) to do this.
Please note: Only complete the online form if you have received a letter from us with a link to the form.
If you did not receive a letter with this link, and you think you are entitled to a bereavement support payment, then please call us.
How much will the payment be?
The bereavement support payment is equal to 1 month's gross benefit, including holiday pay.
Decision
We will inform you of our decision within 4 weeks of receiving the completed form. You will be notified by letter.