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Banks, pensions, benefits and tax after a death
Tell Us Once covers most government bodies, but banks, insurers and private pensions need contacting separately. Here is what to tell, and when.
Banks and building societies
GOV.UK says banks and other financial providers must be contacted directly to close or change accounts. Cruse mentions services such as the Death Notification Service, Life Ledger and Settld that can notify banks, building societies and other organisations on your behalf. Check what each service does and whether it is free before you use it.
Typical steps:
- Tell each bank and building society, and ask what they need (usually the death certificate and later the grant, if the balance is large).
- Ask them to freeze the account and stop direct debits and standing orders where needed. Check that bills which must keep being paid, such as the mortgage, are not missed.
- Do not use the person's cards or online banking. That can be fraud, and it can cause trouble for the estate.
- Joint accounts normally pass to the surviving holder. Ask the bank what they need.
Some banks will release money for funeral costs against the funeral director's invoice. Ask. If balances are large they usually ask for probate or confirmation.
Mortgage, loans, credit cards and insurance
Contact mortgage providers, insurers and credit card companies. Check life insurance, mortgage protection, critical illness policies and insurance on loans or cards, which may pay out. Home and car insurance may need updating. Keep paying home insurance on an empty property or ask the insurer about vacant-property cover.
Pensions
GOV.UK says to contact pension providers quickly to avoid overpayments having to be repaid. Use the Pension Tracing Service to find personal or workplace pensions if you do not know who the provider was. Veterans UK deals with armed forces pensions. Some pensions pay a survivor's pension or death benefit, so ask each provider what is payable and to whom.
Government and benefits
- The Department for Work and Pensions Bereavement Service cancels benefits and the State Pension and can check whether you are eligible for funeral help. GOV.UK gives its helpline as 0800 151 2012, Monday to Friday 8am to 6pm.
- HMRC deals with tax, Child Benefit and tax credits. Tell the Child Benefit Office within 8 weeks. If you cannot use Tell Us Once, use the HMRC Bereavement Helpline, or form P1000 to name the person dealing with the estate.
- In Scotland, Social Security Scotland cancels Scottish benefits. GOV.UK gives the freephone number 0800 182 2222.
- The National Insurance Contributions Office cancels payments for self-employed or voluntary contributors.
Most of these are covered by Tell Us Once. DWP can stop only the deceased person's own benefits, so if you receive benefits yourself (for example as a carer), tell your own benefit office about changes in your circumstances.
Bereavement Support Payment
If you lost a husband, wife, civil partner or partner, you may qualify for Bereavement Support Payment. GOV.UK says there is no means test. You must have been under State Pension age, living in the UK (or a country that pays bereavement benefits), and married to, in a civil partnership with, or living with your partner as if married. Your partner must have paid enough National Insurance contributions or have died through a work-related accident or disease. You usually must claim within 21 months, but to get the full amount you usually need to claim within 3 months. If you lived together without marrying, extra conditions apply (for example, getting Child Benefit for a child living with you, or being pregnant). We have not confirmed the payment amounts, so use the GOV.UK page.
Student loans, passports and driving licences
The Student Loans Company needs contacting separately. Passports and driving licences are handled through Tell Us Once. HM Passport Office has a form for when a passport holder dies. If you keep or sell the person's vehicle, contact DVLA.
Tax
The estate may need to file a final tax return and may owe or be owed tax. HMRC's Bereavement Helpline can confirm what is needed. See the Inheritance Tax basics too.
Next
Secure the home and online accounts or tick things off in the checklist.
This is general information, not legal advice. Rules differ between England and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland, and they change. Check the official pages linked at the bottom of each page, and ask a solicitor or Citizens Advice about your own situation. Last checked November 2026.