At Ridley & Hall our will dispute team often acts for unmarried parents who have lost their partner.  They may need advice about whether or not they can bring a claim for financial support – for example if their partner’s estate has failed to make ‘reasonable financial provision’ for them, or their children. At the same time, it’s always important to check and see if you may be entitled to help from the government, and certainly if you have children under the age of 18, it may well be available.

Up until now, bereavement support payments (BSP) have only been available to those who were married to their partner at the date they died, with a child under the age of 18.

However, the good news is that as of February 9^th 2024, the criteria extends to include unmarried parents who lived together.

If your partner died before 9^th February 2023 you may be able to bring a backdated claim, but you must act now!

• Bereavement Support Payments: What You Need to Know
• Categories of Backdated Claims if your partner died between these dates
• Missed the Deadline? Here’s What Happens
• Conclusion

Bereavement Support Payments: What You Need to Know

Claim Amount: Bereavement Support Payments consist of an initial payment of £3,500, followed by 18 monthly payments of £350. New claimants who become eligible from February 9^th 2024 can conveniently submit their claims online via Gov.uk, over the phone at 0800 151 2012, or through a paper application form. Additionally, widowed parent’s allowance provides £126.35 per week, available for as long as you claim child benefit.

Backdated Claims

Deadline Reminder:   If you and your partner had children and your partner passed away before February 9th, 2023, you can make a backdated claim for either widowed parents allowance or bereavement payments (depending on your circumstances). The deadline for applications is February 8th, 2024. You can find out more information about this here on the Money Saving Expert website.

Categories of Backdated Claims if your partner died between:

1. April 9, 2001, to April 5, 2017:
   • Backdated claim for widowed parent’s allowance, if eligible since August 30, 2018.
   • Weekly payment of £126.35 before tax, backdated to August 30, 2018.
2. April 6, 2017, to August 29, 2018:
   • Backdated claim for bereavement support allowance, if eligible since August 30, 2018.
   • Receive £350 per month for the months eligible after August 30, 2018, up to a maximum of 18 months.
3. After August 30, 2018:
   • Backdated claim for bereavement support allowance if eligible now.
   • Full backdated payment of £9,800, including the lump sum of £3,500 and 18 monthly payments of £350, paid all at once.

Missed the Deadline? Here’s What Happens

Claims Between Feb 9, 2024, and Nov 8, 2025:

• Receive three months of £350 backdated, plus any future payments due.

Claims On or After Nov 9, 2025:

• No backdated payments will be due, but you can still make future claims.

Conclusion

If you are potentially entitled to make a claim, or know someone who is please share this information with them as soon as possible to ensure that a claim is made in time. If you have any questions about will disputes or inheritance claims, do get in touch with us and we will do our best to help.

Rebecca Kershaw – Apprentice Solicitor