Bereavement Benefit & Child Benefit

PP78

Hello,

I’m posting on behalf of a friend, in the hope someone might be able to help or suggest something.

My friend was recently bereaved as her long-term partner (they lived together for 6+ years) was sadly killed in a road traffic accident.

She has attempted to claim Bereavement Benefit, but was told by the office that she couldn’t claim due to not having claimed Child Benefit. (This was due to them earning too much that they wouldnt have been eligible, though now with her partner passed away, she will be claiming due to the income drop).

But looking on the Gov website, Child Benefit doesn’t come into it at all:

-

When your partner died, you must have been:

• under State Pension age
• living in the UK or a country that pays bereavement benefits
• married to your partner, in a civil partnership with them, or living with them as if you were married

Your partner must have either:

• paid a certain amount of Class 1 or Class 2 National Insurance contributions in any one tax year since 6 April 1975
• died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work

-

They meet all three of the first set, and the NI point on the second set. There is nothing about Child Benefit on there.

Has anyone else ever been told this, or have any suggestions on what they’re talking about here?

Thank you 🙏

Rachel_Scope

Hi @PP78. I'm so sorry for your friend's loss. It's wonderful that you're helping them.

This isn't something I'm familiar with but maybe some of our members may be. Have you found any more information in the meantime?

Rachel_Scope

Hi, me again. Just looked into it and found this that mentions Child Benefit. From reading it, I see it as your friend wouldn't be eligible for the higher rate but would get the lower rate. Maybe the adviser they spoke to was wrong, it can happen quite often. Hopefully this info helps.

PP78

Thanks Rachel, I appreciate the replies.

It’s very confusing as it doesn’t mention these restrictions/requirements anywhere on the eligibility criteria on the Gov page for Bereavement Benefits.

My understanding from other info on the Martins Money Saving site is that because she will now need to claim Child Benefit going (due to drop in household income), she will need to claim Child Benefit going forward, so that will make her eligible to some from of support, but unclear what level. Maybe as you say, a lower rate.

Rachel_Scope

No problem @PP78. It wasn't easy to find the info that I linked, they don't make it easy! Will you let us know the outcome please? This isn't something I've come across before and would love to know what they actually decide.