Benefits for bereavement

free_chaz_dingle

Hi,

I am new to all this so hopefully somebody can help? My dad died recently and my mum really isn't coping either financially or emotionally so I am trying to get things sorted out as quick as I can. Benefits office are not being too quick regards sorting things which I can understand with Christams and that.

Hopefully somebody on here can give at least a guide on whether she will be entitled to anything?

Hopefully money coming in and out will help?

My dad suffered from COPD so was getting Disability Living Allowance he was 62 when he died so not at pension age

My mum is 63 so was on state pension at £52.70 which was then topped up with pension credit to £217.90 as they were a couple. Mum then had carers allowance.

I have looked into potential benefits and I must say it is a minefield out there! :-/

I know mum isn't entitled to certain Bereavement benefits but is there any that she will be entitled to? The one I am most unsure of is a Bereavement Payment? It says one of these statements must be true

One of the following must also be true:

you were under State Pension age when they died or

your spouse or civil partner was not entitled to Category A state Retirement Pension when they died

1st is not true but is the second statement? My dad would have been entitled to Category A state Retirement Pension when he reached retirement age, but he wasn't entitled to it when he died as he wasn't retirement age. I don't know like I say a minefield these benefits....

Sorry for the long post

ineed

Hi, I'm so sorry or your loss.

I can't offer you much information I'm afraid but I didn't want to just read and run. Someone more knowledgable will post soon I'm sure.

You could try this website http://www.turn2us.org.uk/ for any benefit entitlement and I'd contact your local CAB (citizens advice bureau) for advice. Good luck, I hope you get something sorted soon.

midnight_express

Your Mum should be entitled to the single rate of pension credit.

escortg3

Sorry for your loss.

As far as i understand it Your mum was not under state retirement age when he died but your father was, so as i read it as long as your father has paid enough national insurance contributions then yes your mum would be entitled to claim. You can check how many years NI contributions have been paid by calling the National insurance contributions office on 0845 302 1479

Best to give the Bereavement Service a call to clarify really 0845 608 8601

anmarj

Pension credit will be adjusted to take into account that she is single (presuimg she was the pension credit claiment) a full review will need to be done, Carers allowance attracts an 8 week run on, the state pension will be adjusted - they will look at what your dad would of been entitled to and see what she can inherit (this will effect the Pension Credit) Bereavement payment, you mean the £2000 payment? As long as your dad paid national insurance contributions then she should be entitled to this payment - this is looked at when they look at the State Pension entitlement

xylophone

http://www.adviceguide.org.uk/england/benefits_e/benefits_bereavement_ew/benefits_and_bereavement.htm
If you are getting State Retirement Pension when your husband, wife or civil partner dies, you do not need to make a claim for a Bereavement Payment, as long as you meet the other conditions. You will automatically get the Bereavement Payment when you notify the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), or Social Security Agency in Northern Ireland, of your partner's death.

https://www.gov.uk/benefits-adviser
http://www.savvywoman.co.uk/c7-pages/c7s1.php?art_id=202

merlin68

There is also a funeral grant as well. But your mum should get £142.70 pension credit a week when it's all sorted, plus her housing and council tax benifit.

free_chaz_dingle

WOW! I have never seen such a friendly forum with amazing advice. I just want to say you have put mine and most importantly mums mind at rest. I have show her the thread and she cried with relief when she saw she had little to worry about financially for the future.

So thank you from the bottom of our hearts it means alot, As we have still not heart from the social department.

Have a good christmas all

sleepless_saver

anmarj wrote: »

Pension credit will be adjusted to take into account that she is single (presuimg she was the pension credit claiment) a full review will need to be done, Carers allowance attracts an 8 week run on, the state pension will be adjusted - they will look at what your dad would of been entitled to and see what she can inherit (this will effect the Pension Credit) Bereavement payment, you mean the £2000 payment? As long as your dad paid national insurance contributions then she should be entitled to this payment - this is looked at when they look at the State Pension entitlement

Anmarj, does all of that happen automatically, or does the OP's mother need to do anything e.g. if she was not the pension credit claimant does she need to put in a claim?

anmarj

sleepless_saver wrote: »

Anmarj, does all of that happen automatically, or does the OP's mother need to do anything e.g. if she was not the pension credit claimant does she need to put in a claim?

If she was not in recepit of Pension Credit then she would have to apply for it but the SP side of things should happen automatically once the death has been reported to them, but the OP did state that the mum got the Pension Credit for both of them.

SandraScarlett

free_chaz_dingle wrote: »

WOW! I have never seen such a friendly forum with amazing advice. I just want to say you have put mine and most importantly mums mind at rest. I have show her the thread and she cried with relief when she saw she had little to worry about financially for the future.

So thank you from the bottom of our hearts it means alot, As we have still not heart from the social department.

Have a good christmas all

How nice it is to have a newbie ask questions, receive answers, and then thank the board. :T You are right, the forum members between them have so much helpful advice to offer, and yet, sometimes, because it isn't the answer people want to hear, they aren't thanked - or worse. :eek:

Bereavement is so hard for those left behind, and the rules and regulations are a maze to get through, especially when it's the worst possible time to try to think straight.

I wish you and your family the very best for the future, and your Mum is fortunate to have such a caring son/daughter as you. Merry Christmas,

xx