Social Welfare (Bereaved Partner’s Pension and Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2025

Public bill · Government · Presented

The measure updates social welfare payments after a Supreme Court ruling, so that a surviving cohabiting partner can qualify for bereavement-related payments in much the same way as a widow, widower, or surviving civil partner. It also renames the relevant schemes to “bereaved partner” and “bereaved parent” payments, allows some payments to be backdated to 22 January 2024, and keeps existing entitlements in place for people already receiving them.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend and extend the Social Welfare Acts; to make consequential amendments to the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997; to amend the Family Courts Act 2024; and to provide for related matters.

Last updated 25 July 2025