Guide discussion: Bereavement Support Payments

poppy12345

Gasmeter62 said:

So this ruling is to only recompense people who have stayed a like widower all the rest of there life? How discriminatory and ridiculous is that? Surely the ruling is meant to right the wrong in the first instance????

The rules were different back in 2004. The ruling changed with effect from August 2018. As has been advised, your friend can contact their local MP with a complaint if they want to. This forum is for help with benefits entitlement, not about benefits policy. Sticky at top of thread here. https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/365935/its-about-helping-people-get-their-entitlement-not-about-benefits-policy#latest

sorethumbs1992

I have just received a letter saying my claim was successful after my partner died in Oct 2017.  I was expecting a larger sum but after reading the guide here 
https://childhoodbereavementnetwork.org.uk/sites/default/files/uploads/files/230802 Bereavement benefits remedial order summary for parents and kinship carers.pdf

As she died 10 months before the Aug 2018 change I only qualify for 8 months of backdated payment (instead of 18 months @ £350 if she passed after Aug 2018) hence my payment will be £2800.

Not complaining, its still very welcome.  Just adding my experience to the chat

NH2004

My wife died suddenly in June 2023. 

We have a 7 year old for whom she was claiming child benefit. 

Unfortunately my bereavement payment claim got rejected as she didn’t  have enough NI contributions paid in as she never earnt enough in a salary to pay NI and the  NI contribution credits she was getting for claiming child benefit don’t count. 

It seems so wrong as the money is not for her benefit but for the family left behind. 

I personally have been paying full NI contributions since I was 16 and have already gained my full state pension so I think my contributions should also be taken in to account in these circumstances but it doesn’t work that way so we are left with nothing. 

sheramber

Take the matter up with your MP as the government made the rules.

Wait_What

Hi there, i looked into this, but my partner and i didn't have kids, so there is nothing for those who weren't married, no kids, but were together for 7 plus years.

Just generally, there isnt much for single people living alone for finance etc

Donnakv69

Hi All
I submitted my claim which was received by DWP on 30/1/24. I received a text from them to say they’d received it and not to contact them and that they would only contact me if they needed further information. It has been 4 weeks and I’ve heard nothing. Should I leave it a bit longer? My partner was killed in an RTC in 2004 when our son was 5 1/2 months old. I was claiming child benefit. Thank you ☺️ 

sheramber

Donnakv69 said:

Hi All
I submitted my claim which was received by DWP on 30/1/24. I received a text from them to say they’d received it and not to contact them and that they would only contact me if they needed further information. It has been 4 weeks and I’ve heard nothing. Should I leave it a bit longer? My partner was killed in an RTC in 2004 when our son was 5 1/2 months old. I was claiming child benefit. Thank you ☺️ 

Were you in receipt of child benefit on 30 August 2018?

 That is the appropriate date for eligibility  for payment.

rdunn87

We weren’t married or co habiting, but the mother of my twin boys died during childbirth in 2014. I’m the sole parent. I’ve never had had any help, couldn’t even get a full paternity period. I’m guessing this is only for cohabiting, even though I’m taking sole care of the children and still do?

poppy12345

rdunn87 said:

We weren’t married or co habiting, but the mother of my twin boys died during childbirth in 2014. I’m the sole parent. I’ve never had had any help, couldn’t even get a full paternity period. I’m guessing this is only for cohabiting, even though I’m taking sole care of the children and still do?

You would have needed to be living together to qualify.

Silvertabby

Gasmeter62 said:

A friend of mine died leaving his partner with 3 children aged 8,10,11 in 2004. She was receiving child benefit for the 3 children but was refused any other benefits due to them not being married at that time? She tried to claim for these back dated payments but was told she wasn't entitled, due to the fact she co-habited 5 years later and subsequently married in 2010 her new partner? How can this discrimination on 2 occasions be fair? I don't understand the logic and purpose of this ruling, who is it meant to be helping?

Not that it's any consolation, but if your friend had remained single she still wouldn't have qualified as her children would have been too old to qualify for child benefit in 2018.

The number of changes/updates to pensions of all descriptions over the years are too many to count.  But very few changes were made retrospective.