The Department for Work and Pensions has clarified what happens to benefit and pension payments after a claimant dies.
The update explains when Universal Credit and State Pension payments are stopped and how departments are notified.
DWP minister Andrew Western has explained to Parliament how the Government’s Tell Us Once service operates to stop benefit payments and notify departments following a person’s death.
The minister outlined the process after independent MP James McMurdock asked what action was being taken "to improve the timeliness and accuracy of death notifications across Government systems".
Mr Western said the cross-Government service allows bereaved families to report a death to multiple public bodies through a single notification process.
The voluntary scheme operates across all local authorities in England, Scotland and Wales and is designed to reduce the administrative burden on grieving relatives.
His remarks provided further detail on how payments including Universal Credit and state pension are halted once a death has been formally registered.
Mr Western described Tell Us Once as a service intended to support families during an exceptionally difficult period.
He said: "The service allows recently bereaved citizens, at a very stressful time in their lives, to inform participating Government departments of a registered death.
"The choice of who is informed of the event of death and the supplementary information regarding the deceased is also dictated by citizen choice - thus providing the best possible experience with fairness, respect, compassion and dignity."
DWP explains Tell Us Once service for Universal Credit and state pension after death
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He said this approach gives families greater control over the administrative process while coping with bereavement.
The service remains optional for those registering a death.
Mr Western confirmed that participating organisations are normally notified by the next working day after the death is reported through the system.
The Tell Us Once service informs a broad range of Government departments and agencies to ensure payments and official records are updated promptly.
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The minister explained that users can decide which departments receive notification and what information is shared about the deceased
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HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) receives notification to manage personal tax affairs and stop benefits including Child Benefit.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is informed so it can end benefit payments such as Universal Credit and state pension.
The Passport Office is notified to cancel British passports, while the DVLA revokes driving licences and can remove the deceased as the registered keeper of up to five vehicles.
Vehicle tax can also be cancelled through the process.
Local councils receive notification to end Housing Benefit, Council Tax Reduction and Blue Badge entitlements.
Veterans UK is informed regarding Armed Forces Compensation Scheme payments, while Social Security Scotland is notified to stop devolved benefits including Scottish Child Payment.
The Tell Us Once service is available when the deceased person lived in England, Scotland or Wales.
This also applies to people who died temporarily abroad, including while on holiday or travelling for work. However, the service cannot be used if the person lived in Northern Ireland at the time of death.
Families in those cases are directed to contact NI Direct separately.
People who had been living permanently overseas are also excluded from the scheme and must register deaths through the relevant authorities abroad.
Government guidance states HMRC and the DWP will subsequently contact relatives regarding outstanding tax matters, benefits and entitlements linked to the deceased.
When registering a death, registrars can either help families complete the Tell Us Once process directly or provide a unique reference number allowing the service to be completed online or by telephone.