MARTIN Lewis has warned thousands they could be owed up to £40,000 – don’t miss out on the “rock hard deadline” in just DAYS.
The Money Saving Expert issued the urgent message during an episode of The Martin Lewis Money Show Live.
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He reminded Brits of the imminent deadline to claim up to £40,000 in backdated bereavement support by February 8.
He said: “This is really important money for some people in vulnerable positions. This is urgent.”
It comes as more than an estimated 21,000 bereaved households previously denied support can now claim Bereavement Support Payments.
Payments can be worth up to £3,500, plus £350 a month for 18 months for those eligible but the amount varies depending on circumstances.
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“This is a rock hard deadline. It’s a huge amount of money, it’s life saving and after February 8 it will be closed to so many people,” warned Martin Lewis.
Last year the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) changed the eligibility rules for Bereavement Support Payments and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.
Benefits were previously only available for married couples and those in civil partnerships.
However, fresh rules introduced in February 2023 opened payments up to couples who were living together and had children.
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The DWP allowed a 12-month period for newly eligible applicants to backdate their claims.
Now, the Money Saving expert is urging anyone who may be unaware of the changes to check if they are eligible.
This means those who lost their partner before April 6, 2017, might be able to receive the legacy benefit widowed parent’s allowance, should they be found to have been eligible for this on August 30, 2018.
Similarly, a surviving parent who lost their partner on or after April 6, 2017 may be eligible for its replacement, bereavement support payment – should they have been qualified for this on August 30, 2018.
The deadline for claiming is February 8, 2024.
After this, no claims for Widowed Parent’s Allowance will be accepted.
How can I claim bereavement support payments?
If you receive child benefit you will receive the higher rates but in order to receive the full amount, you must claim within the first three months of your partner’s death.
If you are getting bereavement support payment, it won’t affect your other benefits for a year.
After then, the income you get from it will be taken into account for means-tested benefits.
You can apply for bereavement support payment online, by telephone or by post.
To apply, you’ll need:
The government launched its online claims form on February 9 on a trial basis – so only a limited number of daily applications can be sent through.
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You can apply for the benefit over the phone by calling the bereavement service helpline on 0800 151 2012.
To apply by post download the bereavement support payment BSP1 form from the government website, fill it in and return it to the address on the form.
