Thousands of bereaved families could be eligible for a £10,000 payment following a major rule change.
You may be able to get Bereavement Support Payment if your husband, wife or civil partner died in the last 21 months.
Around 21,000 households who were previously denied support will now be able to apply for the payment.
The change will also benefit a further 1,800 families each year.
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has stated that the rule change will extend to couples who live together and have children together, but aren't married.
The new rule expected to come into force later in the year - although it is still subject to final Parliamentary approved.
It comes following a successful debate in the House of Commons.
It means thousands of families who were previously denied the benefits from August 30, 2018 will finally be able to claim for any payments.
Some Brits could be eligible for backdated payments worth up to £9,800 if their partner died before the law was changed.
Previously, only married parents could claim Bereavement Support Payments.
The DWP will publish more details on Gov.uk in the coming weeks.
Minister for Work and Pensions Viscount Younger of Leckie said: “I am pleased to see this important change is nearing its very final steps to becoming law, so more bereaved parents can access this support.”
The Bereavement Support Payment is worth up to £3,500, plus £350 a month for 18 months for those eligible.
If you receive child benefits, you will receive the higher rates.
But in order to receive the full amount, you must claim within the first three months of your partner's death.
You can claim up to 21 months afterwards, but you will get fewer monthly payments.
You could be eligible if your partner either:
- paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since April 6, 1975
- died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work
When they died you must have been:
- under State Pension age
- living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits
If you get Child Benefit, or do not get it but are entitled to it, you will receive the higher rate.
If you do not get Child Benefit, you will get the lower rate unless you were pregnant when your husband, wife or civil partner died.
Higher rate
- First payment - £3,500
- Monthly payments - £350
Lower rate
- First payment - £2,500
- Monthly payments - £100
Can I still get the payment if I did not claim the benefit before?
In most cases, you’ll have to provide evidence to show a good reason why you were not able to make a claim earlier.
This could be because:
- You have a disability
- You’re unwell
- The online claims system was down
- You’re making a new claim after breaking up with your partner
