The UK government has extended the eligibility criteria for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance, which helps support grieving parents facing the financial impact of losing a partner. The new law change will ensure more children in bereaved families receive support regardless of the parent’s legal relationship status.
DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie expressed his joy over the law change, saying it will provide more bereaved parents with support during a difficult time. express.co.uk quoted Younger as saying: “Losing a partner is tragic and this change will mean more bereaved parents can access this support through a profoundly difficult time for them and their children.” “It has been our priority to get this legislation right, so it is fairer to bereaved children with parents who were not married or in a civil partnership, and I am very pleased this is now confirmed in law.”
Mims Davies MP, Minister for Social Mobility, Youth, and Progression, highlighted the importance of the change and encouraged eligible parents to make an application. “We have made this important change to help thousands more grieving parents access the financial support they need and deserve”, Davies is quoted as saying.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has opened a special 12-month application window for bereaved parents whose partners died before February 9, 2023, to help those who may have missed out on the benefits. The amount they are eligible to receive will depend on the date they lost their partner.
Cohabiting parents with dependent children can apply for bereavement benefits starting from February 9, 2023. Previously, the support was only available to eligible bereaved parents who were married or in a civil partnership.
The government’s decision to extend the eligibility criteria for bereavement benefits is a positive step towards helping grieving families cope with the financial impact of losing a loved one. The 12-month special application window offers a chance for bereaved parents who may have missed out on the benefits to apply and receive the support they deserve.
The law change will ensure that more children in bereaved families receive support, regardless of their parent’s legal relationship status. The government’s efforts to help families during a difficult time are commendable and should be celebrated.
