Extending Bereavement Support Payments
In April 2017, in spite of campaigning by WAY and other charities, the Government at the time voted to ‘modernise’ the bereavement benefit system – slashing Widowed Parent’s Allowance and replacing it with Bereavement Support Payment, which is payable for just 18 months. This change left 91% of families with grieving children supported for a shorter time and 75% financially worse off. Under the old system, widowed parents potentially received support until their youngest child left full-time education.
We believe 18 months is simply too short a time. A recent study among WAY members showed that the cost of living crisis has left 65 per cent of our members feeling concerned for their finances. Many widowed people are struggling to pay household bills, cope with childcare costs and put food on the table.
The independent UK Commission on Bereavement – supported by the National Bereavement Alliance – has recommended that Bereavement Support Payment should be extended for six years or until completion of one year of secondary education for the youngest child, whichever is longer. The Liberal Democrats pledged to double support for bereaved families in their election manifesto.
WAY Widowed and Young and our members are asking for the Government to restore long-term support to bereaved families. This would help to give families the security they need to rebuild their lives.
We are also calling on Bereavement Support Payments to be uprated in line with inflation – these vital payments have not been increased since they were first introduced in April 2017, leading to a significant decrease in value over the past seven years as the cost of living crisis has seen prices skyrocketing. Goods and services costing £350 in 2017 would cost more than £450 today, according to the Bank of England's inflation calculator.
Standing up for bereaved families
Please join our campaign! Write to your MP today and ask for their support in standing up for bereaved families!
Join WAY members like Lauren and Sophie, who are calling for Bereavement Support Payments to be extended for longer than 18 months to help them get back on their feet after the financial and emotional shock of being widowed at a young age...
Read Lauren's story Read Sophie's story