Grants & Funds for Widowed Parents

It is very difficult to cope when you have lost your partner unexpectedly, and this isn't made any easier when there are children to consider. There is however, some help available.

As a widow with dependent children, you are entitled to apply for the Widowed Parents Allowance. Now, even though your finances won’t be at the top of your list at this current time, it is worth checking out what extra help you are eligible for.

A Little Extra

The surviving parent of a child may be eligible to apply for the Widowed Parents Allowance providing that the child is able to receive child benefit and that the surviving parent has paid enough National Insurance (NI) payments throughout their working life.

If the surviving parent is pregnant by their deceased partner, they may also be entitled to a grant.

However, the rules change slightly if your partner died whilst at work. If this is the case then you could be eligible for the grant even if they didn't make sufficient NI payments.

Though you cannot claim Widowed Parents Allowance if you are a pensioner you may be due for extra retirement pension your deceased partner paid NI during their working life.

You will not be eligible to receive the grant however, if the marriage or partnership had ended previous to the death and it will also be withheld if the surviving parent has a surviving spouse or partner and is living with them.

A Helping Hand

This form of funding is paid to a single parent to help them maintain a standard of living for both them and the child.

Each parent receives a standard rate, which works out at £87.30 a week. The children then receive an extra £11.35 a week and £9 is added on top of that for the eldest child or an only child.

The After Effects

It is possible that if you, as the sole parent, are in receipt of Jobseekers Allowance, or other similar benefits, they will be reduced if you begin receiving the Widowed Parents Allowance.

Child benefit will also be affected if you are in receipt of extra for an only child. In this case, you will receive that standard child benefit but still be eligible for the extra only child payment of the Widowed Parents Allowance.

The Application

It is important that you check what financial help you are entitled to as soon as you can, that way you will benefit the most. When you have applied for the Widowed Parents Allowance, you will receive the payments automatically to your bank, building society or even post office account.

Although your partner may have made sufficient arrangements to provide for their family following their death, having this extra reliable income will provide you with some stability in what can be in a very trying time.

Other Benefits

If you have received the Widows Parents Allowance, then your deceased partner must have kept up their NI payments. If this is the case, or they died whilst at work, then you could be eligible for Bereavement Allowance. This is basically a one off payments of £2,000 that will be paid directly into your bank account.