Question to the Department for Work and Pensions:

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she had made of the potential merits of making Bereavement Support Allowance an ongoing payment with similar criteria to Carers Allowance for those bereaved who have been left with children, using an earning threshold allowance for eligibility beyond the existing 21 months.

There are currently no plans to reform Bereavement Support Payment (BSP). BSP is a contributory benefit intended to help with the immediate costs of bereavement. In common with other contributory benefits, BSP is not means tested. Other sources of financial assistance, including Universal Credit, are available for those who require on-going financial support.

Whilst we have no plans for broader reform, on 15th July we laid a draft proposal for a Remedial Order (The Bereavement Benefits Remedial) Order 2021) that will extend eligibility to Widowed Parent’s Allowance and Bereavement Support Payment to cohabitees with dependent children. Further details can be found on Gov.uk: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/bereavement-benefits-proposal-for-implementation-of-the-mclaughlin-2018-and-jackson-2020-judgments