Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, if she will introduce a bereavement support payment for parents who were full-time carers of a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition following the child's death.

There are currently no plans to introduce a Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) for parents who were full-time carer’s of a child with a life-limiting or life-threatening condition.

BSP is payable to working-age people following the death of a spouse or civil partner. BSP is a contributory benefit, based on the late spouse or civil partner’s National Insurance contributions.

For support with funeral costs, the Children’s Funeral Fund ensures that bereaved parents do not have to meet the costs of a burial or cremation for their child. Where the bereaved parent is also on qualifying benefit, they may also receive support through the Funeral Expenses Payment scheme to help towards the cost of a funeral.