Petition · past parliament · Department for Work and Pensions
Extend Bereavement Support Payments to unmarried couples who cohabit
Closed
39 signatures
What the petition asks
I believe in the modern society we live in there should be the same bereavement payment entitlement for unmarried couples as there are married couples.
I lost my partner who had lived with me for nearly three years in July 2020. I am still not in a good place mentally but I had to go back to work as I had no other choice. Whilst I was off work for 2 months I was only receiving statutory sick pay and was in a difficult situation financially.
The total number of cohabiting couples has increased from around 1.5 million in 1996 to around 3.5 million in 2020. Support for bereaved partners should reflect this.
The total number of cohabiting couples has increased from around 1.5 million in 1996 to around 3.5 million in 2020. Support for bereaved partners should reflect this.
Timeline
| 3 Mar 2022 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 3 Sep 2022 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
39
Status
Closed
Department
Department for Work and Pensions
Opened
3 Mar 2022
Closed
3 Sep 2022
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.