What is Widowed Parent's Allowance?

What it is

Widowed Parent's Allowance (WPA) is a weekly benefit for parents bringing up children after their partner has died. It has been replaced by Bereavement Support Payment. If you already get WPA, it carries on until you stop qualifying.

You can only make a new claim if your partner died before 6 April 2017.

Who it is for

You may get WPA if all of these apply:

• you are under State Pension age
• you are entitled to Child Benefit for at least one child
• your partner paid National Insurance contributions, or died because of an accident at work or a disease caused by work

When your partner died, you must have been married, in a civil partnership, or living together as though you were. You may also claim if you were pregnant when your partner died, including after fertility treatment.

You cannot get WPA if, when your partner died, you were divorced or had ended your civil partnership. You also cannot get it if you have since remarried, formed a new civil partnership, or live with someone as a couple.

How much it pays

At the full rate, £156.65 a week is £626.60 every 4 weeks, or about £8,146 a year. Your amount depends on your partner's National Insurance record, so you may get less than the full rate. WPA is usually paid into a bank, building society or credit union account.

How long it lasts

WPA carries on until you stop being entitled to Child Benefit or you reach State Pension age, whichever comes first.

How to apply

1. Pick the right form. Use form BB1 if you were married or in a civil partnership. Use form BB2 if you were living together as though you were.
2. Fill it in and post it to Dover Benefit Centre, Post Handling Site B, Wolverhampton, WV99 1LA.
3. If you need help or the form in braille, large print or audio, call the Bereavement Service helpline on 0800 151 2012.

If you disagree with the decision, you can ask for a mandatory reconsideration.

Things to know

• Other benefits: tell the office paying them if you get Universal Credit, Carer's Allowance, Carer Support Payment, Employment and Support Allowance, Jobseeker's Allowance or Incapacity Benefit. WPA may change what they pay.
• Benefit cap: if you are under State Pension age, the benefit cap may limit your total benefits.
• Report changes straight away: tell Dover Benefit Centre if you stop getting Child Benefit, remarry, form a civil partnership or start living with a partner. If you do not, you may have to pay money back.
• Partner died on or after 6 April 2017: look at Bereavement Support Payment instead.

If you live in Northern Ireland

Call the Bereavement Service in Northern Ireland and choose option 3, or download the Northern Ireland claim form. If you live abroad, the International Pension Centre deals with claims.

Related guides

• Can I get Bereavement Support Payment?
• What do I need to do when someone dies?
• What is Child Benefit?
• Can I get help with funeral costs?

Where these figures come from

• Widowed Parent's Allowance (GOV.UK)
• What you'll get (GOV.UK)
• How to claim (GOV.UK)
• If your circumstances change (GOV.UK)
• Benefit and pension rates 2026 to 2027 (DWP)