Widowed parent's allowance

Leelee21

I applied for widowed parents allowance 3 weeks ago and haven't heard anything back yet. How long does it take for a claim to be assessed?

Hadders68

Hi... I had a response yesterday after applying about 10 weeks ago. 
I was being asked for a marriage certificate which is not applicable. 
Based on my queuing that this morning,  I have been declined for the back payment which I will dispute... 

sheramber

Have they told you why you are not eligible?

e.g   Were you still in receipt of child benefit after August 2018?

Did your partner pay sufficient NIC?

Hadders68

Because my partner passed away before 2018 was the reason I was given

kaMelo

Hadders68 said:

Because my partner passed away before 2018 was the reason I was given

That alone is not reason to decline a claim. Do you fulfil all the criteria, such as what @sherambler posted?

Alice_Holt

https://www.gov.uk/widowed-parents-allowance

Look at the eligibility criteria -   The DWP saying "Because my partner passed away before 2018 was the reason I was given" is odd. 

Caz3121

that link shows
"If you were not married or in a civil partnership, you may get a backdated payment if you were eligible for WPA on or after 30 August 2018."

sheramber

Do you meet the criteria stated above?. 

You must also not have married or started living with another partner. 

Hadders68

Yes I absolutely meet the criteria,  hence the dispute when I receive the decline letter. 
I explained the rules to the lady on the phone, to no avail. I shall ring again on Monday and see if I get to speak to someone more sensible in the meantime! 

Alice_Holt

If the letter sets out your appeal rights, you may be best to submit a Mandatory Reconsideration request of the decision.
https://www.gov.uk/mandatory-reconsideration#:~:text=with the outcome-,Eligibility,is called 'mandatory reconsideration'.

Hadders68

Hi all,  spoke to somebody else today who was far more sensible!  She is getting it reviewed again today as she agreed, the update I was given didn't sound right. Fingers crossed!