For the first time in the UK, from this month bereaved cohabiting parents are able to claim the same bereavement benefits as couples in a marriage or civil partnership.

The changes to the eligibility criteria mean that cohabiting parents (or soon-to-be parents) and carers whose partner dies from 9 February 2023 will be able to make a claim for Bereavement Support Payment if they meet the other eligibility criteria, and more than 20,000 families will be able to make a retrospective claim.

This is great news for constituents in Newport East who have come to me concerned about this, having experienced bereavement as a cohabiting parent.

The Childhood Bereavement Network have been campaigning on this issue for many years – you can find more information and support on their website here.

As always, if there is anything my team and I can do to support you with making a claim, please do get in touch. To drop me an email, use this link.