Bereavement grants - help with dependant children

Jodeeks

Sadly, my ex husband has recently died and we have 2 dependant children together, I am aware there is a 'widowed parents' and 'bereavement' allowance available, but we are not eligible because we were divorced, which seems unfair to disadvantage children because their parents are divorced, as the children are still dependants and need looking after the same way should I have still been married at the time of his death.

I accept that I should not be entitled to any support, but they will still need financial support, I do work and expect to fully support them where I can, but this will now be harder to sustain as there will no longer be any maintenance payments, and I have also incurred some debt to help with the funeral etc, and support my children.

Does anyone know whether there are any payments that the children can receive/or claim in their own right, to help with their future.

Thanks

Keep_pedalling

You might be better off asking on the benefits board.

aninvasion

Unfortunately I don't have any advice to give as I haven't been in this position myself but I just wanted to pass on my condolences for your situation.

I assume that as you weren't living together there is little you could claim for.

Tabbytabitha

Why have you paid for the funeral of someone to whom you're no longer married?

Savvy_Sue

Did your ex have a pension or any insurance, which might have been written 'in trust' to you or the children for this eventuality?

pollypenny

Tabbytabitha wrote: »

Why have you paid for the funeral of someone to whom you're no longer married?

I imagine this would be be to ensure the children’s father had some dignity.

buildersdaughter

I would definitely talk to an advisor - possibly at CAB or whatever you have locally, or Turn2us. Approach, not from the point of view of a 'widow' but as someone no longer receiving maintenance, as this will alter any benefits, tax credits etc. that you are entitled to.
I presume you have told the children's school? Is there any support worker or advisor there who might be able to help? Quite a lot of schools have access to education charities that can help with equipment & uniform, or school trips, and you won't know unless you ask.
And I am sure that the family as a whole appreciated you dealing with the funeral, I too think (without knowing the exact circumstances) that it was the right things to do for your children.

Don't forget to look after yourself. Your marriage was finished, but you still had a relationship through the children, grief has a habit of popping up at odd times.

pmlindyloo

buildersdaughter wrote: »

I would definitely talk to an advisor - possibly at CAB or whatever you have locally, or Turn2us. Approach, not from the point of view of a 'widow' but as someone no longer receiving maintenance, as this will alter any benefits, tax credits etc. that you are entitled to.
I presume you have told the children's school? Is there any support worker or advisor there who might be able to help? Quite a lot of schools have access to education charities that can help with equipment & uniform, or school trips, and you won't know unless you ask.
And I am sure that the family as a whole appreciated you dealing with the funeral, I too think (without knowing the exact circumstances) that it was the right things to do for your children.

Don't forget to look after yourself. Your marriage was finished, but you still had a relationship through the children, grief has a habit of popping up at odd times.

Child Maintenance/support is disregarded income for all means tested benefits.

Has the deceased estate made any provision for the children?

Linton

Were the children included in their fathers will? The payment for the funeral should have come from the fathers estate. Or was there no money?