Bereavement Benefits to extend support to unmarried parents
Some bereaved people will be eligible for backdated payments if their partner died before the law was changed
Bereavement Benefits is expected to soon ensure cohabiting parents of dependent children who are not married or in a civil partnership are entitled to the same support as those who are married, if one of them should die.
In addition, some bereaved people will be eligible for backdated payments if their partner died before the law was changed.
While this change is still subject to final parliamentary approval of the draft Bereavement Benefits Order 2022, an application window is expected to open early this year to allow more parents to claim.
A brief summary of the changes has been made public on the government website, but the NAFD will also share the updated guidance with its members as soon as it is published by the government.
Viscount Younger of Leckie, Minister for DWP, 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. Claims for Widowed Parent’s Allowance will be processed by paper, with applications downloadable via gov.uk.”
