By Ben Kerrigan-
The UK government has announced that bereaved parents who lost their partner between April 9, 2001, and February 8, 2023, may now be eligible for a backdated government payment, even if they no longer have dependent children.
This extension of eligibility for support payments is part of an effort to provide financial assistance to families coping with the loss of a partner.
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The Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) and Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA) were previously only available to bereaved parents who were married or in a civil partnership. However, the government extended eligibility to include cohabiting parents with dependent children in February.
These payments are intended to help ease the financial burden faced by those who have lost a partner. Importantly, these benefits can be backdated to August 30, 2018.
DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie welcomed the change, stating, “This change will help provide many more bereaved families with children access to the financial support they need through a profoundly difficult time.
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‘I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to claim as soon as possible so that they can ensure that they benefit from these backdated payments.”
‘The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has instituted a 12-month window for cohabiting parents to backdate their claims. Parents whose partner passed away before February 9, 2023, have until the end of February 8, 2024, to do so. After this date, it will not be possible to claim WPA, and individuals will miss out on their full entitlement to backdated BSP.
‘The benefits received are dependent on the date when the partner passed away.
‘For partners who passed away before April 6, 2017, a claim should be made for WPA. If the partner passed away on or after April 6, 2017, BSP is the applicable payment, replacing WPA. However, payments can only be backdated to August 30, 2018, even if the partner passed away before this date.
Alison Penny MBE, Director of the Childhood Bereavement Network, emphasized the urgency of the situation, saying, “Time is ticking on for the thousands of families that could be eligible for a back-dated payment but haven’t yet claimed. It’s crucial that we find them so they can make a decision about putting in a claim before the window closes and they miss out.
We’re urging friends, families, and support organizations to spread the word. Even if someone was bereaved a long time ago, it’s worth exploring whether they are eligible for a back payment.”
This extension of support will provide much-needed financial assistance to bereaved cohabiting parents, offering some relief during a challenging period in their lives.
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