Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA)
Widowed Parent’s Allowance has been replaced for new claimants by Bereavement Support Payment
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’s, wife’s or civil partner’s NI contributions
• For widows, widowers, or those who have lost a civil partner, bringing up children
• Paid in regular amounts
You can get it if you are:
• a widow, widower, or civil partner of somebody 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 basic weekly rate from April 2026 is £156.65; you may also be entitled to an additional pension amount.
If you already receive other benefits, such as income support, incapacity benefit, carers allowance or employment and support allowance (ESA), the amount may change once you start to get WPA.
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’s, wife’s or civil partner’s NI contributions
• If your husband, wife or civil partner 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, form a civil partnership, 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 Second Pension (used to be 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.