If your partner passes away but you are responsible for bringing up children then you could claim Widows Parent Allowance. The basic rate is £119.90 but this is dependent on your late partner having paid the requisite amount of NI contributions. .
Basic Eligibility Criteria
In order to make a claim you must prove that…
- Your partner died before 6th April 2017
- You are under State pension age
- You claim child benefit & your late partner was their parent
- You are expecting your late partner’s baby
Restrictions
There are however some restrictions on your right to claim (WPA). For example you can’t claim if…
- You were divorced from your late partner
- You remarried or are living as a couple with someone else
- You are aged over State pension age
- You are in prison
If your partner died after 6th April 2017 you will be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment.
How much will I get?
The amount of money you are awarded from a WPA claim is dependent on the level of NI contributions that were made by your late partner. The maximum amount you can claim is £113.70 which is paid out weekly for upto a year. Your payment will stop however if your claim for child benefits ends, although you have the option to instead claim Bereavement Allowance for the remainder of the 52 weeks.
How to apply
There are several ways to apply for WPA..
Online
Download a BB1 form (Bereavement Benefits Pack)
In person
Take your completed form to your local JobCentre Plus
By Post
Send completed forms to the below address
Dover Benefit Centre
Post Handling Site B
Wolverhampton
WV99 1LA
By Phone
Call the helpline for Bereavement services on…
- Telephone: 0345 606 0265
- Textphone: 0345 606 0285
Impact on other benefits
Claiming WPA can have an impact on the amount you receive from other benefits including…
- Income Support
- Incapacity Benefit
- Jobseeker’s Allowance
- Carer’s Allowance
- Employment and Support Allowance
- Universal Credit
You should check with the DWP on how WPA could affect your right to claim these other benefits.