Widow payments: Citizens Advice say ruling is 'groundbreaking'

The ruling could change the lives of children across the UK

A High Court ruling that a Northern Ireland mother-of-four, who was never married, is entitled to widowed parent's allowance has been hailed as "groundbreaking" by Citizens Advice.

The ruling, which could have UK-wide legal implications, was described as "a victory for children".

Siobhan McLaughlin took the case with the help of the advice charity.

The judge said denying a benefit aimed at easing financial pressure on bereaved families was discrimination.

Ms McLaughlin, from County Antrim, challenged Northern Ireland's Department for Social Development's decision to refuse her both bereavement benefit and widowed parent's allowance.

Her claims were turned down because she was neither married nor in a civil partnership at the time of her partner's death in 2014.

They had been together for 23 years.

At the High Court sitting in Belfast, Mr Justice Treacy rejected her claim for the bereavement payment made at the point of death, on the grounds that a parent cannot invoke the rights of marriage after death.

But he said there was no justification in denying a benefit granted due to parentage and co-raising of children.

Pól Callaghan from the Citizens Advice Bureau who supported Ms McLaughlin's case said the ruling was "ground breaking" and its implications would be felt across the UK.

He said it was the first time a partner in a relationship had received benefits that would previously have been reserved for a married spouse.

"Siobhan stood up and said it was not fair that her children were being discriminated against on the basis of a decision that she and her partner had taken," he told the BBC's Good Morning Ulster.

"This is a case where the judge here has pushed the boundaries of the law for a family.

"This could have massive implications for families and for children.

"This landmark ruling will benefit children, not just in Northern Ireland, but across the UK."

Mr Callaghan said that, if a child lost a parent shortly after birth, the support received could amount to up to £105,000.

The payment - which is currently £112.55 a week in Northern Ireland - could "really help alleviate hardship", he said.

The other bereavement payment for widows and widowers at point of death represents a much smaller sum, he said.