Cohabiting parents with dependent children who need support following the death of their partner can apply for bereavement benefits from 9 February, the government has confirmed.
The change allows for backdating of payments to people who would have been eligible before eligibility was extended, with the Childhood Bereavement Network estimating “thousands” of families may be in line for a retrospective payment.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is opening a special 12-month application window for bereaved parents with dependent children whose partner died before 9 February 2023.
The bereavement benefit and amount they are entitled to will depend on when they lost their partner.
To qualify, claimants must have met the eligibility criteria for either Bereavement Support Payment or Widowed Parent’s Allowance on or after 30 August 2018.
The DWP said this means those who lost their partner before 6 April 2017 might be able to receive the legacy benefit Widowed Parent’s Allowance, should they be found to have been eligible for this on 30 August 2018.
Similarly, it added, a surviving parent who lost their partner on or after 6 April 2017 may be eligible for its replacement, Bereavement Support Payment, should they have been qualified for this on 30 August 2018.
More details on the full eligibility criteria and claims process will be available on the GOV UK website from 9 February.
Thousands could benefit
The change has been made after Parliament’s approval of the Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2023 to comply with the European Convention on Human Rights.
The benefits are designed to help parents with the financial impact of losing a partner and previously were only available to eligible bereaved parents who were married or in a civil partnership.
The law change will ensure more children in bereaved families are equally supported, regardless of their parent’s legal relationship status, DWP added.
Childhood Bereavement Network director Alison Penny said the charity estimates thousands of families, some bereaved as far back as 2001, may be in line for a retrospective payment of the benefits they have missed out on, paid from August 2018.
Penny noted the 12-month window for claiming a retrospective payment will help government and support organisations to raise awareness and give families time to understand the effect that a back payment could have on their wider tax and social security entitlements.
“We are relieved that at last, cohabiting families who have suffered the devastating loss of their mum or dad will now have the same access to bereavement benefits as married and civil partnered families,” she said.
“These benefits are a lifeline for grieving families, helping parents and carers put their children’s needs first as they begin to adjust to a life that has changed forever.”
Anyone potentially eligible should apply
Minister for social mobility, youth and progression Mims Davies MP (pictured) urged anyone who thought they may be eligible to make an application.
“Crucially, some bereaved parents will also be able to receive backdated payments to ensure they don’t miss out,” she said.
She added: “We have made this important change to help thousands more grieving parents access the financial support they need and deserve.
“We know so many lone parents are doing their best to support their families through such a difficult time and our bereavement benefits offer a lifeline to help them adjust to the impact of this.”