Thank you for contacting me about support for bereaved families.
I am encouraged, therefore, that the Government offers a range of support, including financial assistance, for families that have suffered a recent bereavement. Bereavement Support Payment provides short-term financial support to working-age people if a deceased spouse or civil partner has paid sufficient National Insurance contributions. This helps families with the immediate costs associated with bereavement. Families with children can receive an initial payment of £3,500 and up to 18 monthly payments of £350, while those without children can receive an initial payment of £2,500 and up to 18 monthly instalments of £100. It is not taxable, is paid on top of any income-related benefits and can be paid regardless of whether the surviving spouse or civil partner is in work. I also understand that eligibility will soon be extended to cohabitees with children and will follow this matter closely in the coming months.
I will continue to engage with ministerial colleagues on plans to take forward the Remedial Order that will extend Bereavement Support Payment to cohabitees with children, as was promised in July 2020. I welcome the publication of the Draft Bereavement Benefits (Remedial) Order 2021 which extends eligibility for Widowed Parent’s Allowance (WPA) and Bereavement Support Payment to surviving cohabiting partners with dependent children, who were not in a legal union with the deceased. The Order will have retrospective effect back to the date of the 30 August 2018 McLaughlin decision in the Supreme Court on WPA eligibility.]
For those in receipt of certain income-based benefits or tax credits, the Funeral Expenses Payments scheme provides an important contribution towards the cost of a funeral. The Funeral Expenses Payment pays for the necessary costs such as the burial or cremation fees in full and in April 2020 the additional element that can help with other costs, such as a coffin or the services of a funeral director, was increased from £700 to £1000.
You may also be aware of the Parental Bereavement Leave and Pay Act, which goes significantly further than most other countries in providing workplace rights for employees in this area. The Act gives all employed parents a day-one
right to two weeks' leave if they lose a child under the age of 18 or suffer a stillbirth from 24 weeks of pregnancy. Employed parents may also be able to claim statutory bereavement pay for this period.
I hope this reassures you that there is a range of support in place for families who suffer a bereavement.
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.