Widowed parent’s benefits

Widowed parents can currently get monthly state benefits until they are no longer entitled to Child Benefit (see page 64).

The amount is based on how much your late husband, wife or civil partner paid in National Insurance contributions. The maximum Widowed Parent’s Allowance is currently £112.55 a week.

Reforms due to take effect in 2016 will mean that any parent who is widowed will receive a lump sum of £5,000 and monthly payments for one year only, shifting support from long to short-term. Bereavement charities say that around 75% of people affected by the change will be worse off.

Impact on other benefits

Income Support, Incapacity Benefit, Employment and Support Allowance, Carer’s Allowance, Jobseeker’s Allowance and Pension Credit are reduced by the amount of Widowed Parent’s Allowance or Bereavement Allowance paid. These payments are also taken into account when calculating Working Tax Credit, Housing Benefit and Universal Credit.