The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has announced that bereaved cohabitees with dependent children will soon be eligible for additional financial support, following a successful debate in the House of Commons earlier this week.
The DWP is now in its final stages of extending Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance to working age parents who were not married or in a civil partnership with their late partner. Subject to final Parliamentary approval of the draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022, the application window is expected to open early this year, allowing more parents to claim.
Some people may be eligible for backdated payments worth up to £9,800 if their partner died before the law was changed. The DWP said that it will publish more details on GOV.UK soon, explaining the application window and how to claim.
Minister for Work and Pensions Viscount Younger of Leckie said: “I am pleased to see this important change is nearing its very final steps to becoming law, so more bereaved parents can access this support.”
It has previously been estimated that around 22,500 families will now be able to claim this vital help, totalling an additional £320 million in support for bereaved children over the next five years.
Claims for Bereavement Support Payment will be made on gov.uk or by calling DWP’s Bereavement Service helpline.
Claims for Widowed Parent’s Allowance will be processed by paper, with applications downloadable via GOV.UK.
What is Bereavement Support Payment?
Bereavement Support Payment has replaced Bereavement Allowance (previously Widow’s Pension), Bereavement Payment, and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.
Financial support
Guidance on GOV.UK states: “You must claim within three months of your partner’s death to get the full amount. You can claim up to 21 months after their death but you’ll get fewer monthly payments.”
You could be eligible if your partner either:
- paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since April 6, 1975
- died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work
When they died you must have been:
- under State Pension age
- living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits
Bereavement Support Payment rates
The DWP will give you a first payment and then up to 18 monthly payments - there are two rates.
If you get Child Benefit, or do not get it but are entitled to it, you will receive the higher rate.
If you do not get Child Benefit, you will get the lower rate unless you were pregnant when your husband, wife or civil partner died.
Higher rate
- First payment - £3,500
- Monthly payments - £350
Lower rate
- First payment - £2,500
- Monthly payments - £100
What happens if you get benefits
Bereavement Support Payment will not affect your benefits for a year after your first payment.
After a year, money you have left from your first payment could affect the amount you get if you renew or make a claim for another benefit.
You must tell your benefits office when you start getting Bereavement Support Payment.
For more information, visit the GOV.UK website here.
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