Money expert Martin Lewis has issued an urgent two-week warning to claim a DWP benefit worth as much as £7,200 per year.
The MSE Money Saving Expert founder has appealed on his latest podcast for people who may be eligible to get their claim in now – because it could be worth ‘tens of thousands’ in backdated cash and the deadline is fast approaching.
Martin said this is an ‘urgent clarion call’ to get your claim in as soon as possible before the February 8 deadline in just over two weeks’ time.
Read More: The Traitors viewers’ three word reply to Claudia Winkleman’s ‘sexist’ dig
The benefits apply to everyone whose partner has sadly died within a certain timeframe.
It applies to both married and unmarried couples, although the exact benefit is slightly different depending on your marital status when they died and if you had any kids.
Speaking on the latest episode of The Martin Lewis Podcast on BBC Sounds, Martin Lewis said: “These backdated claims must be made by February 8 this year.
“Unmarried couples, you are only eligible for this if you had children eligible for child benefit at the time of your partner’s death.
“This is strictly for people under state pension age when their partner died.
“If you weren’t married you need to have been cohabiting, have children and be under state pension age on August 30, 2018.
“If your partner died before April 9, 2001, you’re not eligible.
“If you’re not married and your partner died between April 9 2001 and April 5 2017 then you are possibly due backdated Widowed Parents Allowance.
“If you’re married or unmarried with children and your partner died any time after that, you are likely eligible for Bereavement Support Payment and it is backdateable.”
Widowed Parents Allowance means you could get up to £7,200 per year.
“Backdated this can be tens of thousands of pounds. To claim this, there is a postal form available from gov.uk. There is nothing you can do online here, this is an old benefit, it has not been updated.
“Do it. You will not get in trouble for applying and not being eligible. Not sure, just do it.”
The later benefit, Bereavement Support Benefit, is a £2,500 lump sum (£3,500 if you had children) followed by up to 18 months of £100 a month/£350 per month with kids.
Read More: World News | Entertainment News | Celeb News
Yorkshire
