Bereavement benefits extended to parents who live together | Tenant news

Cohabiting parents and carers can now claim the same bereavement benefits as married couples or couples in civil partnerships.

If your partner passed away after 9 February 2023, you will be able to claim bereavement support payments to help raise your grieving children, regardless of your marital status.

It’s estimated that this change will help around 1,800 more families each year to get through the difficult period following the passing of a loved one.

The right to claim has also been backdated, so anyone who’s partner died on or after 6 April 2017 may be able to get a Bereavement Support Payment, although the awarded sum may vary.

How to make a claim

You will be able to claim the payment retrospectively and you’ll have 12 months to make your claim (backdated claims must be made by February 2024)

For more information about these payments or to make a claim, visit Bereavement Support Payment or see useful advice from Childhood Bereavement Network.

Bereavement support

If you’re struggling with the loss of a loved one, here are some places where you can get bereavement help and support.