Urgent warning for 12,000 parents at risk of missing out on their £10,000 payments
THOUSANDS of parents are at risk of missing out on £10,000 in payments after a major rule change.
Households that were previously denied support can now claim bereavement compensation, but time is running out.
A rule change last year meant that cohabiting parents with dependent children can now claim a death benefit.
Previously, only couples who were married or in a registered partnership could claim compensation for the death of a partner.
However, according to the BBC Recent figures show that only about 5,000 people have signed up.
Eligible households can make retrospective claims going back years, which could cost thousands of pounds, but they must do this before February 8.
The benefit they can receive retroactively depends on the time at which their partner died: before April 6, 2017, and the allowance for widowed parents, after that date and the payment for death support.
The bereavement benefit is up to £3,500, plus £350 per month for 18 months for those who qualify.
However, how much the benefits are worth depends on your circumstances.
Retroactive dating goes back to August 30, 2018, even if the death occurred before this date.
Campaigners won a change in the law in the High Court and Supreme Court in August 2018.
No applications for widowhood allowance will be accepted after the February 8 deadline.
After this date, death benefit claims can still be made, but at a reduced amount.
The Sun has contacted the DWP for more information and will update here as soon as we hear more.
Am I entitled to a death benefit?
To qualify for benefits, applicants must have met the eligibility criteria for bereavement benefits or widow's allowance on or after August 30, 2018.
This means that those who lost their partner before April 6, 2017, may be able to receive the widow parent allowance inheritance benefit, if it turns out that they were eligible on August 30, 2018.
Similarly, a surviving parent who lost their partner on or after April 6, 2017 may be eligible for the bereavement replacement benefit – if they were eligible on August 30, 2018.
Please note that the bereavement benefit and the amount people are entitled to depend on when they lost their partner.
If you receive child benefit, you will receive higher rates, but the application must be submitted within the first three months after the death of your partner.
It is important to note that bereavement support payments do not affect other benefits for one year.
The income you receive from this is then taken into account income-related benefits.
How can I claim bereavement benefits?
There are several ways in which you can apply for bereavement benefits.
You can make a claim online, by phone or by post, but you'll need to gather some documents first.
To apply you will need:
You can apply for the benefit by telephone by calling the bereavement helpline on 0800 151 2012.
To apply by post, download the BSP1 bereavement support payment form from the government website, complete it and return it to the address given on the form.