Bereavement benefit

fatboy1

I recently lost my partner, we were together, very happily, with shared bank account and mortgage etc for 34 years, but I have been told I am not entitled to any benefits as we were not married or in a civil partnership, can anyone help with this? is that correct? 

calcotti

Unfortunately it is correct in respect of Bereavement Support Payment.
https://www.gov.uk/bereavement-support-payment

You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) if your husband, wife or civil partner died in the last 21 months.

Whether or not you are entitled to any means tested benefits will depend on your circumstances.

fatboy1

Surely that is a type of discrimination, as only difference is a piece of paper!!

poppy12345

We don't make the rules, just advise. Do you currently work or claim any benefits?

calcotti

fatboy1 said:

Surely that is a type of discrimination, as only difference is a piece of paper!!

Take it up with your MP.

fatboy1

I know we do not make the rules, and yes I do work for a living, but my point is just because we did not want to get married or enter a civil partnership I am penalised for it.

Robin9

Did your partner have a will ?  Have you ?

nannytone_2

Rightly or wrongly the system recognises legal contract such as marriage or civil partnerships.
Many people are surprised that live in together, regardless of how long you have done it for,8 holds very little weight in the law.

calcotti

Robin9 said:

Did your partner have a will ?  Have you ?

What relevance has that got?

Lanzarote1938

I saw many bedside weddings involvig terminally ill patients during my career. Long term partners literally had no right without that 'bit of paper'. not even next of kin in some cases.

sheramber

That is why the bit of paper as you call it is very important.You are not being penalized. You are not getting the  priviledge  given to a married partner.