Residents of County Durham are being invited to contact Durham County Council’s Welfare Rights team to check if they may be entitled to extra money following an important change in the law affecting rights to bereavement benefits for unmarried couples with children.

Changes announced in February 2023 means that couples who were cohabiting and had responsibility for children, or who were pregnant, when their partner died could now be owed money.

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The change affects entitlement to Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance and could financially benefit unmarried parents who were bereaved as far back as April 2001.

Previously, only parents who were married or in a civil partnership were entitled.

Residents are urged to claim as soon as possible, and can contact the Department for Work and Pensions on their Bereavement Service helpline direct on 0800 151 2012.

Any County Durham resident who would like independent and confidential advice on how this changes affects them can contact Durham County Council’s Welfare Rights Team on 03000 268968 to speak to a Welfare Rights Officer for advice.