Widowed Parent's Allowance - How do I claim Widowed Parent's Allowance?

If you meet the conditions of entitlement on the 'Can I get Widowed Parent's Allowance?' page, there is no time limit for claiming Widowed Parent's Allowance after the death of your spouse or civil partner.

England, Scotland and Wales

Telephone claim

DWP Bereavement Service:
Tel: 0800 151 2012
Textphone: 0800 731 0464
Tel: 0800 731 0453 (Welsh)
Textphone: 0800 731 0456 (Welsh)

Using the video relay service for British Sign Language (BSL) users

Paper claim

Download a Widowed Parent's Allowance claim form from the Gov.UK website

Northern Ireland

Telephone claim

NI Bereavment Service:
Tel: 0800 085 2463
Textphone: 0808 100 2198Using the video relay service for Irish and British Sign Language (BSL) users 

What documents will I need to claim Widowed Parent’s Allowance?

You must send originals of the following documents to support your claim (or show them at your local Jobcentre Plus office):

• Your birth certificate

• Your children’s birth certificates

• Your marriage or civil partnership certificate

• Your husband’s, wife’s, civil partner or cohabiting partner's certificate of registration of death

If you do not have this evidence, you should not delay claiming. Surviving cohabiting partners must make a claim before February 2024 to not lose entitlement. 

When will my Widowed Parent’s Allowance claim begin?

A written Widowed Parent’s Allowance claim will begin from the date the claim form is received by the benefit office. A telephone claim for Widowed Parent’s Allowance will begin from the date of the telephone call.

A Widowed Parent’s Allowance claim can be backdated for up to three months before this date if you would have been entitled to it earlier. It does not matter why your claim is late. Request this when claiming.

Change of circumstances

Payment will be suspended if you start cohabiting whilst in receipt of Widowed Parent’s Allowance but it can be reinstated if you stop cohabiting and would still be entitled to the benefit.

Payment will stop if you marry or enter a civil partnership whilst in receipt of Widowed Parent’s Allowance.

Payment will stop if you stop receiving Child Benefit.

You must report changes in your circumstances which might affect your entitlement to this benefit.