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> Widowed Parent's Allowance
This benefit is dealt with by Job Centre Plus - you can find your local office here
The Widowed Parent's Allowance is:
• Based on your late husband or wife's NI contributions
• For widows or widowers bringing up children
• Paid in regular amounts
You can get it if you are:
• a widow or widower of a spouse who has paid NI contributions
and
• bringing up at least one child, or expecting your late husband's baby, or expecting a baby as a result of artificial insemination or in-vitro fertilization
How much is it?
The maximum weekly rate is £87.30
Other useful information
If you are aged under 45 and do not have a dependent child or children you cannot get either Widowed Parent's Allowance or Bereavement Allowance
• If you were over state pension age when you were widowed you may get extra Retirement Pension based on your husband or wife's NI contributions
• If your husband or wife died as a result of their job, you may be able to get bereavement benefits even if they did not pay enough NI
• You cannot get bereavement benefits if you were divorced from your husband or wife
• You cannot get bereavement benefits if you remarry or if you
live with a partner as if you are married to them (in Scotland, special
habit and repute provisions apply)
• Bereavement benefits are not affected if you work
• If you get Widowed Parent's Allowance you may be able to get the Additional Pension part of your husband or wife's state Retirement Pension. This is paid from the State Earnings- Related Pension Scheme (SERPS).
How to claim
Claim straight away. If you delay you may lose benefit.
Contact your local
office for a claim form.
Or you can download a Bereavement Benefit claim form here
You will need proof of identity to make a claim, and may also need documents to support any evidence you give about your circumstances.