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Widowed Parent's Allowance

If you are a parent whose husband, wife or civil partner has died and you have at least one child who you receive Child Benefit for, you may be able to get Widowed Parent's Allowance (WPA).

Who can claim?

You may claim WPA if all of the following apply:

you are bringing up a child or young person under 19 (or under 20 in some cases) for whom you're getting Child Benefit
you are under State Pension age
your husband, wife or civil partner has died
your husband, wife or civil partner paid National Insurance contributions (NICs)

You may also claim WPA if:

you are expecting your late husband's baby, or your late civil partner's baby (with whom you were pregnant from fertility treatment)
your husband, wife or civil partner died as a result of their work - even if they didn't pay NICs

Who cannot claim?

You cannot claim if:

you were divorced from your husband or wife, or the civil partnership had dissolved when the civil partner died
you re-marry, or are living with a partner as husband and wife, or as if you had formed a civil partnership
you are in prison

How much will I receive?

The maximum basic allowance for WPA is £95.25 a week. However, there may be an entitlement to additional pension.

WPA is generally paid directly into your bank, building society, Post Office or National Savings account that accepts Direct Payments, although alternative arrangements can be made if necessary.