If you’re unmarried, have children and your partner has died since 2001, you could be in line for up to £40,000 of backdated bereavement support.
But you’ll need to make a claim before 8 February 2024 – this Thursday.
In February 2023, the Government extended the eligibility criteria for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance, a benefit designed to help parents with the financial impact of losing a partner.
The rule change followed a Supreme Court ruling that unmarried couples with children were due bereavement support, in the same way married couples and those in civil partnerships already were.
Last February, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) opened a 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.
Who is eligible for unmarried couples’ backdated support?
If you were unmarried, you have kids and your partner died, you may be entitled to backdated support if you:
- were under state pension age on 30 August 2018 (so born after 30 August 1953)
- were living as a cohabiting couple at the time your partner died
- had a child eligible for Child Benefit at the time your partner died (i.e. under 16, or under 20 in full-time education)
According to MoneySavingExpert.com, the amount of money you can claim can be life-changing, with some people getting up to £40,000.
If your partner died between 9 April 2001 and 5 April 2017, you could be able to claim backdated Widowed Parent’s Allowance. This benefit was replaced by Bereavement Support on 6 April 2017, so if you lost your partner after this date, this is the benefit you’ll need to claim.
How much is bereavement support?
If you were married with no children, you could be eligible for a £2,500 lump sum, followed by up to 18 months of £100 per month.
Married or cohabiting couples with kids can claim a £3,500 lump sum, followed by up to 18 months of £350 per month.
Bereavement support payments are tax-free and can be claimed at Gov.uk.
