The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has is in the final stages of extending the 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.
The move is subject to final Parliamentary approval of the draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022.
Once that is completed, according to the DWP, the application window is expected to open early this year, allowing more parents to claim.
The DWP added that some people may be eligible for backdated payments if their partner died before the law was changed and said it will soon publish more details explaining the application window and how to claim.
Minister for work and pensions Viscount Younger of Leckie (pictured) 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.”
Claims for Bereavement Support Payment will be made on gov.uk or by calling DWP’s Bereavement Service helpline, while claims for Widowed Parent’s Allowance will be processed by paper, with applications downloadable from gov.uk.