DWP benefits, State Pension payments and tax may change after the death of a loved one

dailyrecord.co.uk:

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has released a new online guide which takes people who have lost a spouse or partner through a step-by-step checklist to ensure they are receiving all the financial support and benefits they are entitled to.The “What to do when someone dies: step by step: guide on GOV.UK explains what to do after a death, including how to register it, notify relevant government departments and deal with the estate.One important section in the guide covers what the surviving partner or spouse needs to do about their own tax, benefit claims and pension as they might change depending on their relationship with the person who died.

The new guidance can be found on GOV.UK here and we have have highlighted some of the key things to check. Your income will probably change after the death of your husband, wife or civil partner.If you get extra money from pensions, annuities, benefits or an inheritance, you may need to pay more tax.

You may be on a lower income and need to pay less tax.Your tax allowances - the income you do not pay tax on - may also change.Tell HMRC if you get:You do not need to tell HMRC about:If you pay Income Tax, you will have a Personal Allowance - income you do not pay tax on.

Your allowance may change if your income changes.HMRC will automatically adjust your Personal Allowance when you tell them about your change of income.If you or your husband, wife or civil partner were born before 6 April 1935, you may have been claiming Married Couple’s Allowance.You will still get the allowance for the current tax year (up to 5 April) but HMRC will automatically stop it after that and you’ll get just your Personal Allowance.If your husband, wife or civil partner was claiming Blind Person’s