Heather Humphreys (Cavan-Monaghan, Fine Gael)
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In order to determine entitlement to the widow’s widower’s or surviving civil partnership pension, a Deciding Officer must first establish if the applicant is the legal spouse of the deceased.

Evidence of births, marriages and deaths that occur in this state are available to the Department and certificates are not required with such applications.  However, where the event occurred outside the state, evidence must be provided by the applicant, by furnishing the relevant certificates.    Unfortunately this Department cannot assist with obtaining such documentation outside this state.  While acknowledging it is a difficult time for the person concerned, a  Deciding  Officer must be satisfied that an entitlement exists, in accordance with the legislative provisions governing the scheme.

While awaiting documentation, a person can contact the designated person at their local Intreo Centre, to examine their possible entitlement to supplementary welfare allowance. In addition the Working Family Payment is a means-tested weekly payment available to employees with children. Both of these payments provide extra income support to qualified people.

I trust this clarifies the matter for you.