§ Mr. Martyn JonesTo ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions (1) what assessment he has made on the financial impact of the introduction of the bereavement on allowance on women under 55 years of age who have been widowed since 9 April and are in receipt of incapacity benefit; [22278]
(2) what assessment he has made on the financial impact of the introduction of the bereavement allowance on women under 55 years of age who have been widowed since 9 April. [22279]
§ Malcolm WicksOur reforms to bereavement benefits introduced in April 2001 concentrate the help available where and when it is needed most—on immediate needs and on families with children. And for the first time these benefits are available equally to both men and women. Immediate help with costs arising on bereavement is provided by a lump sum bereavement payment of £2000—double the old widow's payment of £1000. There is a weekly benefit for widowed parents who satisfy the qualifying conditions. The bereavement allowance is also available for 12 months, to give widows and widowers aged 45 or over without dependants time to adjust to their new circumstances.
Women under 55 years of age who have been widowed since 9 April 2001 can claim the new bereavement benefits in the same way as anybody else. Where they are already in receipt of incapacity benefit and claim either widowed parent's allowance or bereavement allowance they will receive the higher of the two benefits to which they are entitled.