Claim a deceased civil servant's pension as a widow, child or guardian (dependants' and Widows' and Children's Pension)

What you need

• The deceased officer's original death certificate
• Original signed and stamped chief's letter listing the dependants, their relationship and age
• Widow: completed Declaration Form and a copy of her ID certified by the chief
• Widow: original marriage certificate if you have one (it's returned to you)
• Original and copies of the children's birth certificates
• Original signed and stamped letters from the children's schools or colleges
• Guardian: Certificate of Guardianship, and certified copies of your ID and the two declarants' IDs
• Pay point form with your bank details and a copy of your bank card or passbook

Steps

1. Download the Declaration Form (for a widow), the Certificate of Guardianship (for whoever cares for the children) and the Pay Point Form from treasury.go.ke/pensions.
2. Widow: fill Part I yourself, have the chief and the area officer certify Part II, then have a commissioner for oaths or magistrate attest Part III. If you married under customary law, a parent from each side fills Part IV.
3. Guardian of the children: complete the Certificate of Guardianship with declarations from a relative on the father's side and one on the mother's side, sworn before a magistrate or commissioner for oaths.
4. Send the original forms with all the documents to the Director of Pensions, The National Treasury, P.O. Box 20191-00200, Nairobi, or drop them at Bima House, Harambee Avenue.

Who can apply

• Dependants of a deceased public officer or government pensioner: the widow and the children.
• If a pensioner who served 10 or more years dies, the widow or children keep getting the pension for 5 years after the death.
• Under the Widows' and Children's Pensions Act, children qualify while under 16, or older if they have stayed in full-time education since 16.