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Open Extend Bereavement Support Payment to all unmarried partners after five years

Created by Louise Savage
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Change the eligibility rules for Bereavement Support Payment so that all unmarried partners who have lived together in a committed relationship for at least five years can qualify for payments, regardless of whether they have dependent children.

Couples can share their lives, homes and finances for decades without marrying. Yet someone married for just weeks may qualify for Bereavement Support Payment, while an unmarried partner of 10/20 years without children may receive nothing. We think this is unfair and believe couples who have lived together for at least five years should qualify, with evidence such as shared bills, addresses or finances. In our view, bereavement support should recognise genuine, committed relationships, not just marriage certificates.

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    This petition will stay open until 28 April 2027.