Benefit rule change means you could claim money back from DWP, check if you're eligible

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has many ways to help those with financial difficulties. Indeed they help those with medical conditions as well as the elderly. For many households, the money they receive from the DWP allows them to make ends meet.

However, thousands of families could be owed up to £10,000 after the DWP has made some major changes to one of its benefits. Indeed, those who have lost a cohabitating partner, with whom they share children, could now be entitled to Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance. Here’s everything you need to know about the new rules.

Families could be owed up to £10,000

As per Express, the DWP has updated the rules to be eligible for Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance to include couples that cohabit but are not legally married.

Before February 2023, Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance were only given to people who had lost a partner - and had dependent children - and were married or in a civil partnership.

Now that the rules have changed, people who lost a partner, between April 9, 2001 and February 8, 2023, and have dependent children but were never married could be eligible for back payment up to £10,000 from the DWP.

DWP Minister Viscount Younger of Leckie said:

I would urge anyone who thinks they may be eligible to claim as soon as possible so that they can ensure that they benefit from these backdated payments.

Who is eligible for the back payment?

If the parent claiming lost their partner before April 6, 2017, they need to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance, if the partner died on or after April 6, 2017, they need to claim Bereavement Support Payment, as per Express.

If the parent’s partner died before February 9, 2023, they have until February 8, 2024, to claim their payment.

If you believe you are eligible for the back payment, you can apply online, by telephone or by post. You will need the following information:

• Your National Insurance number
• Your bank or Building Society account details
• The date your partner died
• Your partner’s National Insurance number

Read more:

⋙ Thousands of benefit claimants warned about major change that will be implemented

⋙ Millions to lose £180 next year, check if you’ll be affected

⋙ You could reduce your tax bill by £252 if you are part of this group, here’s how to check

Sources used:

Express: ‘DWP benefit rule change means thousands are owed up to £10,000 - can you claim?’