A woman has issued a desperate plea after struggling with her mum's funeral bill.
Bridget Gibson was just 54-years-old when she lost her life following a lung cancer battle back in April. With the heartache of burying her mum, who had no life insurance or funeral plan, Siobhan Demetriades was struggling to raise the £2,300 owed to the funeral home.
As Bridget's condition worsened, the 32-year-old found herself struggling to cope before losing her job as an electrical engineer. Alongside the struggles, she also discovered she was pregnant, but devastatingly suffered a miscarriage, the MEN reports.
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Despite her death on April 26, Siobhan was unable to give her mum a proper send off until June 10. Just days before the funeral, she said her application for help towards the funeral costs were denied by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP), leaving her "devastated".
She said: "Since my mum passed, I haven’t been able to grieve properly. They (the DWP) are making me feel like I want to give up. I’m not getting any help. Everything they have asked me to do, I’m doing and getting rejected. They’ve told me to go on different benefits but I don’t qualify for them.
"My mum was diagnosed with terminal lung cancer and a brain tumour which turned cancerous. She was placed on end-of-life treatment. I visited mum every day to make sure she knew someone was with her so she never felt alone but most of all felt loved."
In a desperate bid for funding, she has set up a fundraising appeal in hopes of raising some cash. She has so far raised over £1,300 of the £2,300 target.
She added: "Because of the way I am at the moment, I feel like I have no friends or anything. I’ve just gone into my own world. I wasn’t too sure about setting the Gofundme up but I did and I put it out there and it’s been overwhelming seeing people donate."
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said Siobhan has since been awarded Personal Independence Payment and is set to receive a lump sum of over £1,000. A spokesman said: "The death of someone close can be very distressing and our sincere condolences are with Ms Demetriades."
Funeral Expenses Payment
Siobhan's story is likely to be echoed by families right across the UK as the cost of living crisis continues. Those on certain benefits may be entitled to a Funeral Expenses Payment from the DWP to help with costs. This can help pay towards burial spots, cremation fees, travel to a funeral and death certificates.
You can also get up to £1,000 for any other funeral expenses, such as funeral director’s fees, flowers or the coffin, but the payment will not usually cover all of the costs of the funeral.
The DWP states online: "How much you get depends on your circumstances. This includes any other money that’s available to cover the costs, for example from an insurance policy or the deceased person’s estate." It adds that if the deceased had a pre-paid funeral plan, you may only be entitled to up to £120.
According to the DWP, you or your partner must get one of the following benefits:
- Universal Credit
- Income Support
- income-based Jobseeker’s Allowance
- income-related Employment and Support Allowance
- Pension Credit
- Housing Benefit
- the disability or severe disability element of Working Tax Credit
- Child Tax Credit
You might also be eligible if you’re getting a Support for Mortgage Interest loan. You can still claim Funeral Expenses Payment if you’ve applied for these benefits and you’re waiting to hear about your claim. More information can be found online by clicking here.
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