Mum who lost husband to cancer calls for change to bereavement support

A mum who lost her husband to cancer says her family are “still reeling” as financial support for their bereavement is due to end just 18 months after his death.

Lorraine Wallace, from Kirkcaldy, lost her husband David to bowel cancer in October 2024.

The dad-of-two boys, aged five and eight at the time, was diagnosed in January 2023 after multiple visits to the hospital about bowel issues.

Sixteen months on from his death, financial support from the Bereavement Support Payment (BSP) – part of a UK Government scheme – is due to end in a matter of weeks.

The Government provides a lump sum followed by monthly payments of a maximum of £350 for a year and a half if widows were married at the time of their partner’s death.

Lorraine Wallace lost her husband to cancer in October 2024. Supplied

It is not taxed and can be paid in addition to other benefits.

Previously, the scheme provided continuous financial support to children in bereaved families while they were in full-time education. It replaced the Widowed Parents’ Allowance.

In 2017, MPs voted to approve the Bereavement Support Payment Regulations, which families say has represented a massive cut in support.

Lorraine, a part-time teacher who previously had her own home tutoring business, says grief for families does not end after 18 months.

She believes in real terms, the total income she receives is around 10% of what it would have been prior to the changes in the scheme.

She told STV News: “There was a massive emotional impact of losing my husband on me and my kids.

“For me, extra work is difficult because picking up extra hours in teaching is based on demand. I’m mixing that with the guilt that the kids have already lost their dad.

“Is the thing they need right now for me to be working more hours and be less available for them?

“I’ve got two months left of this payment, but after that it just goes.”

She added: “Children’s needs don’t go away after 18 months, they’re greater. Grief doesn’t end after 18 months.

“As a family, we’re all still reeling. We’re still in the acute stages of grief. It’s not something that is going to go away.

“To put that time limit on it, it’s heartless.”

Because of the income Lorraine earns, she does not meet any criteria for additional benefits.

Charity Widowed and Young (WAY), which has been campaigning for change, says BSP is now worth £3,726 less in real terms for bereaved families with children.

A petition with more than 13,700 signatures has been launched to reform the scheme and provide more support for families.

It was created by WAY member Caroline Booth, who says her household income dropped by 75% overnight when her husband died of cancer last year, leaving her to raise two teenage children on her own.

A spokesperson for WAY said: “We believe 18 months is simply too short a time. A recent study among WAY members showed that the cost of living crisis has left 65% of our young widowed members feeling concerned for their finances.

“Many widowed people are struggling to pay household bills, cope with childcare costs and put food on the table.

“WAY Widowed and Young and our members are asking for the Government to restore long-term support to bereaved families. This would help to give families the security they need to rebuild their lives.

“We are also calling on Bereavement Support Payments to be uprated in line with inflation – these vital payments have not been increased since they were first introduced in April 2017, leading to a significant decrease in value over the past seven years as the cost of living crisis has seen prices skyrocket.”

The amount applicants can get through BSP depends on their relationship to the person who died, when they make their claim, and when they reach State Pension age.

If it’s been over 21 months since their partner’s death, applicants usually cannot get any payments, according to the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

A DWP spokesperson said: “Losing a loved one is devastating and we understand the financial impact it can have on families.

“Bereavement Support Payment provides short-term financial support, with higher amounts paid for those with children. 

“Where longer-term income support is needed, individuals can look to benefits such as Universal Credit, which have been specifically designed to provide ongoing assistance with living costs.”

You can find more information about WAY’s campaign here.