Unmarried bereavement

glenda32rogers

Can anyone help with what I can claim with regards to bereavement payment.
my partner died in April 2019 and left me with 2 children 13, 10 at the time.
we never got married but lived together for 13/14 years.
all his pension money went In trust to the children because it couldn’t be paid to me.

Savvy_Sue

I don't know when this is going to take effect: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cohabiting-couples-to-benefit-from-changes-to-bereavement-benefit-rules

I can't find any evidence to suggest that it has yet passed into law, but it appears you would be able to benefit. 

Have you looked at a benefits checker like Turn2Us? 

sheramber

Savvy_Sue said:

I don't know when this is going to take effect: 

https://www.gov.uk/government/news/cohabiting-couples-to-benefit-from-changes-to-bereavement-benefit-rules

I can't find any evidence to suggest that it has yet passed into law, but it appears you would be able to benefit. 

Have you looked at a benefits checker like Turn2Us? 

Update

https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-bereavement-benefits-remedial-order-2022-explanatory-memorandum/the-government-response-to-representations-made-on-proposals-for-a-draft-bereavement-benefits-remedial-order-2021-including-the-eighth-report-from

Savvy_Sue

Thank you for that link, which didn't come up in my google search. 

I've looked at it, without becoming any the wiser about when anything might happen. But then I guess there's been a few other things going on, actually driving legislation forward may be a low priority. 

sevenhills

glenda32rogers said:

all his pension money went In trust to the children because it couldn’t be paid to me.

What type of pension was it, did he work for the NHS or local authority?
Are you on benefits or working?

DullGreyGuy

Savvy_Sue said:

I've looked at it, without becoming any the wiser about when anything might happen. But then I guess there's been a few other things going on, actually driving legislation forward may be a low priority. 

When wont be covered by papers like this. It will come down to when the government can fit it in -v- other priorities. The positive is that it will be retrospective. 

It unfortunately isnt in the bag however because its at least in part based on European Convention of Human Rights which the government says it intents to repeal 

sammyjammy

If the money went into trust can someone if it be given to you if you need it for the children?

Savvy_Sue

sammyjammy said:

If the money went into trust can someone if it be given to you if you need it for the children?

Think it depends on the wording of the trust, and ir would probably be at the discretion of the trustees. Choose wisely.

lr1277

If you are looking to get some of your parrner's pension, It is my understanding that pension trustees/administrators can override the wishes of the person who died, if a dependent arrives on the scene who was not listed by the deceased. You need to make the pension trustees aware of the death of your partner and list yourself as a dependent (if that is the case). The pension trustees/administrators will then decide the proportion of the money you get and the proportion the kids get. You may not get any or all of the money to which you think you are entitled. I think this applies to both private and government funded pensions. But I am guessing somewhat as I have never been through this process.

tightauldgit

glenda32rogers said:

Can anyone help with what I can claim with regards to bereavement payment.
my partner died in April 2019 and left me with 2 children 13, 10 at the time.
we never got married but lived together for 13/14 years.
all his pension money went In trust to the children because it couldn’t be paid to me.

I think you need to talk to the trustees about releasing some of the funds as they have the power to do so. 

sheramber

lr1277 said:

If you are looking to get some of your parrner's pension, It is my understanding that pension trustees/administrators can override the wishes of the person who died, if a dependent arrives on the scene who was not listed by the deceased. You need to make the pension trustees aware of the death of your partner and list yourself as a dependent (if that is the case). The pension trustees/administrators will then decide the proportion of the money you get and the proportion the kids get. You may not get any or all of the money to which you think you are entitled. I think this applies to both private and government funded pensions. But I am guessing somewhat as I have never been through this process.

The OPs partner died in 2019 and the  Trustees have already put the pension in trust for the children.