Bereavement/Widows Benefit

widow53

My husband died in 2003 (I was 50 at the time). I was getting bereavement benefit which amounted to the basic single persons pension. Unfortunately I cannot after all this time find the original paperwork that the Department of Work & Pensions sent to me but I distinctly remember that it said that I was entitled to receive this benefit until I retired provided that I didn't get married again or cohabit (neither of which I have done). I have received a letter from the jobcentreplus saying that my "widowed parents allowance" will cease as my youngest child is no longer in full time education and my payments have stopped. As far as I was aware I was getting "bereavement benefit" not widowed parents allowance - even the bank statement showed it as "BB". Someone has told me that the DWP changed the bereavement benefits after at some stage after I started to get it but that it wouldn't affect me as I was already getting this benefit. I would be grateful if anyone has been in a similar situation and what they did about it.

dmg24

AFAIK Bereavement Allowance is paid for the first year only. After this you would have continued to receive Widowed Parents Allowance.

How much did you receive? This will give us an idea of which benefit you were receiving.

stazi

The BB DMG is here-
http://www.dwp.gov.uk/docs/ch63.pdf

widow53

It's the standard single person's pension of £367.35 every four weeks.

Thanks

tboo

Bereavement payment, Widowed Parent's Allowance and Bereavement Allowance are all classed under Bereavement benefits so BB on your bank statement unfortunately doesn't correctly show which one you have been receiving.
As dmg states BA is only paid for 52 weeks and then WPA is paid, both are the same rate -
Widowed Parent's Allowance is £95.25 or at a reduced rate if NI contributions made by your late husband were incomplete
Bereavement Allowance (standard rate) is £95.25