20 February 2017
DfC - Bereavement Support Payment
Communication from the Department for Communities
Dear Stakeholder,
From 6th April 2017, bereavement benefits in Northern Ireland are changing, with Bereavement Support Payment being introduced to replace existing Social Security benefits for the bereaved, i.e. Bereavement Payment, Bereavement Allowance and Widowed Parent’s Allowance.
These changes are in accordance with legislative change introduced through the Pensions Act (NI) 2015.
Bereavement Support Payment will be paid to new claimants where the date of death is on or after 6th April 2017, providing financial assistance to help deal with the more immediate costs caused by the death of a spouse or civil partner.
Please find below a Fact Sheet and Comparison Table attached providing you with additional information, including differences between existing bereavement benefits and Bereavement Support Payment.
Further information will be published on both the Department for Communities website www.communities-ni.gov.uk/advisor-information and on nidirect.
I hope you find this information useful. If you have any queries or would like any further information please contact us by emailing: BereavementSupportPayment@communities-ni.gov.uk