Support for grieving partners extended
Last year, my partner passed away suddenly. At the time I was shocked when I did not receive any support and it has been very difficult for me and my family. I heard on the news that this has changed and I may be entitled to something, is this true?
Previously, a surviving parent could only claim financial support if they were married or in a civil partnership when their partner died.
However, as of last week, Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Support Payments will be extended to include surviving unmarried partners with children who were living with their partner at the time of death.
These changes will apply to people who could have applied in the past, and any backdated payments will be made as lump sums.
You could be eligible if your partner either paid National Insurance contributions for at least 25 weeks in one tax year since 6 April 1975, died because of an accident at work or because of a disease caused by work.
Official estimates suggest that around 22,000 families across the
UK will be able to benefit from this change but we suspect this number is likely higher, and people in Renfrewshire will qualify.
As long as you were under State Pension age and had a husband, wife or partner who has passed away you may be entitled to backdated Bereavement Support Payments or Widowed Parent’s Allowance.
You are able to apply online, by telephone or by post. Further details are available on the gov.uk website.
My partner walked out on me and our son two years ago. At first, things were amicable and I was receiving payments regularly that went towards rent, while he had regular contact with our child. Over time, he has stopped paying anything, despite promises, and no longer sees our son. I’ve had to reduce my hours of work and get some benefit help, but it is a bit of a struggle. Can I get my ex to pay towards our child, and will it affect my benefits? You can involve the Child Maintenance Service to recover payments from your ex-partner.
The amount you receive will depend on his earnings. It is better to come up with an agreement between you as if the Child Maintenance Service have to collect the payments directly, he will have to pay a little more and you will receive slightly less as a result of its admin charge. There is also a £20 up-front fee for using them.
You can apply online or over the phone, though phoning 0800 171 2345 is usually quicker.
As an alternative, you could see if your ex-partner would be willing to come to a legally binding agreement using a mediation service, for example Family Mediation West (0141 332 2731), which is part of Relationship Scotland and based in Glasgow.
Either way, none of the money you receive as part of a maintenance arrangement will count as income for benefits purposes.
Contact a free local benefits advice agency like RCAB (0141 889 2121) or the Council’s Advice Works (0300 300 1238) if you would like more information about support you could receive if you are struggling financially.