Viewers of The Martin Lewis Money Show have been thanking the financial journalist after he pointed them in the direction of “life-changing” financial support.
The broadcaster has previously discussed how people could claim full backdated bereavement support.
This is a benefit reserved for those whose partner has died before they reach state pension age, which is currently 66.
Previously, this assistance was only accessible to those who were married or in a civil partnership but a recent law change means bereavement support has been extended to co-habiting parents.
Bereavement support is available to claimants who have lost a partner in recent years
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If you are co-habiting parent with a partner who has died since 2002, you could be entitled to tens of thousands of pounds in support.
However, eligible households only have until February 8, 2024 to make a claim for this backdated financial assistance.
In his latest newsletter, Martin Lewis highlighted the impact the rule change has had on people who have made claims, including one of his viewers.
Marc got in touch with the savings expert to share how much money he was able to get for a relative through the benefit scheme.
The viewer shared: “Helped a relative claim recently and they received over £30,000, a life-changing sum.
“Thank you @MartinSLewis – it goes a long way to making up for the scrimping & scraping when they couldn’t claim.”
What support is available?
Unmarried, cohabiting couples with children are not eligible for support if their partner died on or before April 8, 2001.
Thanks to a recent rule change, more people are entitled to assistance
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If their partner died between April 9, 2001 and April 5, 2017, the surviving partner could be entitled to backdated widowed parent’s allowance.
When a partner has died between Apr 6, 2017 and February 8, 2023, the surviving partner could get backdated bereavement support worth £9,800.
This includes an initial lump sum of £3,500 with monthly payments of £350 being paid over the course of 18 months.
Partners who had a significant other who died on or after February 9, 2023 can claim bereavement support worth up to the same amount.
