When the father of my children passed away in 2022, my world was turned upside down. Suddenly, I found myself raising two children on my own, without the emotional or financial support that the father provided. This experience opened my eyes to a significant gap in our current system: the statutory bereavement payment, which aims to support grieving families, does not extend to families like mine, where the parents were separated.

Bereavement is one of the most challenging experiences a family can endure. For children who have lost a parent, the emotional and psychological impact is profound, often affecting their social development and educational outcomes. Yet, in cases of separated families, the statutory bereavement payment does not support the surviving parent caring for the children. This policy overlooks the fact that these children are just as affected by the loss as those from nuclear families, and leaves surviving parents struggling to bridge the financial gap while managing their children's grief.

Statistics show that children from separated families are more likely to face financial hardship and emotional distress than those from two-parent homes. Children in single-parent families are more likely to live in poverty compared to their peers from two-parent families. Additionally, the grieving process is more complex for children who have already experienced parental separation, which can exacerbate feelings of insecurity and instability.

Therefore, I am calling on policymakers to extend the statutory bereavement payment to the surviving parent of separated families, with the condition that the payment is used to support the children until they reach the age of 18. This extension would not only provide much-needed financial support but also help these children feel more secure during a tumultuous time in their lives.

By providing this support, we can ease the financial burden on single parents and create a more equitable environment for our children. Extending bereavement payments can ensure that these young individuals receive the care, support, and stability they need to navigate their grief and build a brighter future.

Please sign this petition to advocate for the extended statutory bereavement payment, ensuring that all children, regardless of their parents' marital status, have the support they need during one of the most challenging times of their lives. Together, we can make a difference for countless families across the country.