To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions what the eligibility criteria are for who may receive widow’s benefits on the death of a husband; and whether there is a cap on the number of wives who may do so. (188267)

Bereavement benefits are available to men and women determined by their deceased spouse or civil partner’s national insurance contributions.

The bereavement payment is a tax-free lump sum payment of £2,000. It is payable if the surviving spouse or civil partner is under pension age when they are bereaved or if they are over state pension age and their late spouse or civil partner was not entitled to a category A state pension.

The bereavement allowance is payable for a maximum period of 52 weeks from the date of bereavement. It is a weekly benefit payable to widows, widowers and surviving civil partners who are aged between 45 and state pension age.

Widowed parent’s allowance is payable to a widow, widower or surviving civil partner who has a dependent child or qualifying young person (aged from 16 to 20).

We do not recognise polygamous wives for the purpose of contributory benefits based on a husband’s contributions, because the legislation provides that there can only be one spouse.