The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) is handing out up to £3,500 as a one-off lump sum to eligible Brits
The Department for Work and Pensions is distributing a £3,500 lump sum to certain families following a major benefit change.
According to DWP regulations, you may qualify for Bereavement Support Payment if your partner has passed away. This benefit has superseded three previous benefits: Widowed Parent’s Allowance – if you’re already receiving this, your payments will continue until you no longer qualify, Bereavement Allowance (formerly Widow’s Pension) and Bereavement Payment.
The sum you receive depends on various factors, but crucially the maximum rate is a £3,500 one-off lump sum payment, or 18 monthly instalments of £350, according to the DWP website.
Bereavement Support Payment is not means-tested. This means your earnings or savings will not impact what you receive. When your partner passed away, you must have been below State Pension age, residing in the UK or a country that provides bereavement benefits and married to your partner, in a civil partnership with them, or cohabiting with them as if you were married, reports Birmingham Live.
Your partner must have either contributed a certain amount of Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance in any single tax year since April 6 1975 or died due to a workplace accident or work-related illness.
You can still submit a claim if you’re uncertain whether your partner paid sufficient National Insurance contributions. The Bereavement Service will inform you.
You cannot claim Bereavement Support Payment while serving a prison sentence.
Claims typically must be submitted within 21 months of your partner’s passing.
If more than 21 months have elapsed since your partner died, you might still be eligible to claim if the cause of death has only recently been established.
The timing of your claim can also influence the total amount you receive. Claims generally need to be made within 3 months of your partner’s death to secure the full payment entitlement.
