Department for Work and Pensions (DWP)

The Department for Work and Pensions is the UK government department responsible for state pensions and most working-age benefits. After a death, the DWP is the body that stops the deceased's benefits and pension payments, calculates and recovers any overpayments, and decides eligibility for survivor benefits including Bereavement Support Payment. [source: gov-uk/report-the-death-without-a-tell-us-once-reference-number-2026-04-29.html]

The fastest way to notify the DWP is through the Tell Us Once service offered at registration; this passes the death to the DWP and several other departments at once. If Tell Us Once is not used, the DWP can be notified directly through the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 151 2012 (Welsh: 0800 731 0453). [source: gov-uk/bereavement-support-payment-how-to-claim-2026-04-29.html]

The DWP also handles personal-independence-related benefits (Personal Independence Payment, Attendance Allowance) and contribution-based benefits (State Pension, contribution-based ESA and JSA). HMRC, not the DWP, runs Tax Credits and Child Benefit, although Tell Us Once notifies HMRC at the same time.

→ Stopping benefits after a death

Last verified: 29 April 2026 against gov.uk/after-a-death/report-the-death-without-a-tell-us-once-reference-number.

AfterLoss

Our Tell Us Once guide explains how the DWP is notified through the registrar service and what gets stopped automatically. The Communications Kit provides scripts for the Bereavement Service line on 0800 151 2012, so anything Tell Us Once does not pick up can still be handled in one call.