Men who lost their wives before 2001 may now be entitled to widows benefit - but they have no time to lose, says Citizens Advice

14-10-2005

National charity Citizens Advice is alerting men whose wives died before 9 April 2001 that they may be able to claim widow’s benefit or widowed mother’s allowance following a European Court of Human Rights ruling.

But they must act quickly.  The deadline for claims is only three weeks away.

Citizens Advice is urging widowers to visit their local Jobcentre Plus office, who will advise them on eligibility.  Men who find they are eligible must make a claim by 4 November 2005.

Before 2001 widow’s benefit or widowed mother’s allowance was only available to women. The European Court of Human Rights has now decided that it was discriminatory for men to be denied these benefits. Men whose wives died before 9 April 2001 may now be eligible for a settlement if they tried to claim widow’s benefit or widowed mother’s allowance at the time of their wife’s death.

Men who have not previously made a claim can do so, but will need to give written details of why they think they have a legitimate claim and why their claim is late.

Citizens Advice Social Policy Officer Vicky Pearlman said:

“Citizens Advice welcomes the European Court of Human Rights ruling that it was discriminatory to deny men the same benefits as women if their spouse died.

“We now want to make sure that men whose wives died before 9 April 2001 know that they may now be able to make a claim for widow’s benefit or widowed mother’s allowance.

“People should contact their local Jobcentre Plus office to get advice as soon as possible if they think they might be eligible and could benefit from the new ruling.”

Notes to editors:

1.On 9 April 2001 the law changed and Bereavement Payment and Widowed Parent’s allowance were introduced, enabling both men and women to claim in the event of death of their spouse.

Notes to editors on Citizens Advice

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