Bereavement support

Early day motion 403, tabled 22 September 2022 by Wera Hobhouse (Liberal Democrat). Signed by 27 members.

That this House supports the need to identify a support payment for parents who are full-time carers of children with life-limiting conditions or lifelong illnesses if the child dies; notes that typically such a parent will not be in employment and will solely rely on income from Disability Living Allowance (DLA), Carers’ Allowance and Universal Credit top ups that include Child Benefit and Child Disability Allowance; expresses concern that when a child dies when one parent is the full time carer, families will take a substantial financial hit through the child’s DLA, two bedroom allowance, and Personal Care Budget stopping immediately, leaving some families having to cover costs without support; acknowledges that the lack of support provided by the Government leaves families who are already in distress financially strained; notes that this subsequently places the parent, whom was the full time carer, with the burden of having to work or prove they are not fit for work or work related activity in a Work Capability Assessment, potentially within the first six months of the bereavement; and urges the Government to consider a proposal where parents who are full-time carers for their child, in the case of the bereavement of that child, automatically receive Limited Capability for Work-Related Activity support for the first 12 months if they are in receipt of Universal Credit.

Signatures by party: Labour 7, Liberal Democrat 7, Plaid Cymru 3, DUP 2, Independent 2, Scottish National Party 2, Alba 1, Alliance 1, Green 1, Labour/Co-operative 1.