Bereaved Brits must act within 19 days for £10,000 from DWP, says Martin Lewis

Bereaved Brits might receive up to £10,000 from the government, according to Martin Lewis.

If they didn’t file for Widowed Parents Allowance after losing a partner, many might be losing out on money. If this affects you, however, you must move quickly because there is only a few weeks left to apply to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) before the deadline of February 8.

Martin stated in his podcast: “These backdated claims must be made by February 8 this year. Unmarried couples, you are only eligible for this if you had children eligible for child benefit at the time of your partner’s death. This is strictly for people under state pension age when their partner died.”

The consumer expert explained that if your partner passed away between April 9, 2001, and April 5, 2017, you might get thousands of pounds back. It’s called Widowed Parent’s Allowance and it’s for parents whose partners have died, Birmingham Live reports.

Martin added: “If you weren’t married you need to have been cohabiting, have children and be under state pension age on August 30, 2018. If your partner died before April 9, 2001, you’re not eligible. If you’re not married and your partner died between April 9 2001 and April 5 2017 then you are possibly due backdated Widowed Parents Allowance.”

Martin Lewis has shared a vital tip for couples with kids, whether they’re married or not. He said: “If you’re married or unmarried with children and your partner died any time after that, you are likely eligible for Bereavement Support Payment and it is backdateable.”

He added: “Backdated this can be tens of thousands of pounds. To claim this, there is a postal form available from gov.uk. There is nothing you can do online here, this is an old benefit, it has not been updated…

“Do it. You will not get in trouble for applying and not being eligible.”

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