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Bereavement Support Payment: Coroners

Asked by Darren PaffeyLabourDepartment for Work and PensionsTabled Answered 16 January 2026UIN 104042

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment he has made of the potential impact of delays to coroner proceedings in excess of 18 months on eligibility for Bereavement Support Payments.

Answered by Andrew Western

Delays to coroner proceedings do not change eligibility for Bereavement Support Payment. DWP encourages those who are eligible for Bereavement Support Payment to make a claim even if they do not yet have a death certificate. DWP will work with the customer to establish what alternative evidence they can provide, such as an interim death certificate.

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