Bereavement Benefits in the UK are expected to soon change to ensure co-habiting parents of dependent children who are not married or in a civil partnership are entitled to the same support as those who are married, if one of them should die.
In addition, some bereaved people will be eligible for backdated payments if their partner died before the law was changed.
Subject to final Parliamentary approval of the draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2022, an application window is expected to open early this year, allowing more parents to claim – so please share this information with any affected bereaved parents you know.
A brief summary of the changes has been posted here: Support for bereaved families to be extended – GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)
The NAFD will share the updated guidance with members as soon as it is published by the Government.