Updated: Govt extends Bereavement Support Payment term but questions remain

clock • 4 min read

The government has announced that the new Bereavement Support Payment which comes into effect in April this year will be extended from 1 year to 18 months, although payments are now lower on a monthly basis.

This was a recommendation of the Committee in its Support for the bereaved report in March 2016 on bereavement benefits. The reforms come into effect from 6 April 2017 and is now one benefit which replaces bereavement payment, bereavement allowance and widowed parent"s allowance. Caroline Nokes MP, minster for welfare delivery, said of the changes: "The old system could be unfair, complex and also act as trap preventing people from moving on with their lives.  "That"s why we are modernising this support into a simple, uniform and easy-to-understand benefit that better reflects soci...

To continue reading this article...

Join COVER for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, key trend analysis and industry insights.
  • Stay on top of the latest developments around health and wellbeing, diversity and inclusion and the cost of living crisis.
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletter.
  • Members only access to monthly programme 'The COVER Review'
  • Be the first to hear about our CPD accredited events and awards programmes.

Join now

 

Already a Cover member?

Login

More on Individual Protection

Most homeowners want mortgage advisers to discuss redundancy

Most homeowners want mortgage advisers to discuss redundancy

58% expect redundancy risk to increase in the next five years

Jaskeet Briah
clock 05 November 2026 • 2 min read
Protection applicants see rise in disclosure of weight loss treatment: UnderwriteMe

Protection applicants see rise in disclosure of weight loss treatment: UnderwriteMe

Buy-now outcomes "remain strong"

Jaskeet Briah
clock 04 November 2026 • 2 min read
£73.14m paid out in life and CI claims to Reassured customers

£73.14m paid out in life and CI claims to Reassured customers

Most CI claimants used the pay out for living costs

Jaskeet Briah
clock 03 November 2026 • 2 min read