Bereaved parents urged to check financial support eligibility before 8 February

Bereaved parents who lost their partners between April 9, 2001, and February 8, 2023, are urged to check their eligibility for backdated financial support ahead of a critical deadline next week. Those whose partners passed away before April 6, 2017, have until February 8 to claim backdated Widowed Parent’s Allowance. Similarly, those with partners who died on or after April 6, 2017, also have until the same date to make a backdated claim for Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) to receive their full entitlement.

The Department for Communities extended eligibility for Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Support Payment to cohabiting parents with dependent children in February 2023, offering a 12-month window for backdating full claims, which concludes on February 8, 2024. This extension means that parents living with their cohabiting partners at the time of death may now be eligible for financial support, previously only available to married or civil partnership bereaved parents. Even if their children are no longer dependent, claims can be made, with potential backdating to August 30, 2018, based on eligibility.

After February 8, claims for Bereavement Support Payment may still be accepted, but monthly payments may be reduced compared to claims made before the deadline. The Widowed Parent’s Allowance claims can be made via telephone or a downloadable paper application form, while Bereavement Support Payment claims can be made online, over the phone, or through a downloadable paper form. Additional information on eligibility and the application process can be found on the NI Direct website. Further support and resources for bereavement are available through the NI Direct Bereavement Service.

Claims for Widowed Parent's Allowance can be made over the telephone by ringing 0800 085 2463 option 3 or through a paper application form, which can be downloaded from NI Direct.

More details on eligibility and how to make a claim for Widowed Parent's Allowance can be  found at: NI Direct www.nidirect.gov.uk

Claims for Bereavement Support Payment can be made online via NI Direct or over the phone by calling 0800 085 2463 option 1 or a paper application form that can be downloaded from NI Direct.

More details on eligibility and how to make a claim for Bereavement Support Payment can be found at NI Direct bereavement-support-payment

Further bereavement help and support can also be found at NI Direct www.nidirect.gov.uk