Social Security Act 1975

24 Widow's allowance

(1) A woman who has been widowed shall be entitled to a widow's allowance at the weekly rate specified in relation thereto in Schedule 4, Part I, paragraph 5, if—

(a) she was under pensionable age at the time when her late husband died, or he was then not entitled to a Category A retirement pension (section 28)and

(b) her late husband satisfied the contribution condition for a widow's allowance specified in Schedule 3, Part I, paragraph 4.

(2) The period for which a widow's allowance is payable to a widow shall be the 26 weeks next following the husband's death:

Provided that the allowance shall not be payable for any period after the widow's death or remarriage or for any period during which she is cohabiting with a man as his wife.

(3) A woman entitled to a widow's allowance shall be entitled to earnings-related addition to the allowance, at a weekly rate ascertained in accordance with Schedule 6, Part I, in respect of each week of the period for which the allowance is payable. This subsection is subject to Schedule 6, Part II.