Social Security Act 1973

19 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 Part I of Schedule 4 to this Act 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; and

(b) her late husband satisfied the contribution condition for a widow's allowance specified in Part I of Schedule 3 to this Act.

(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 Part I of Schedule 6 to this Act, in respect of each week of the period for which the allowance is payable.

This subsection shall be subject to Part II of Schedule 6 to this Act.