Have you lost a loved one?
Grace contacted our helpline about her mother’s recent death. Sadly, her mother had contracted Covid-19 and passed away in hospital. Grace went on to explain that she was unemployed and had just made a benefits application, which had a five-week waiting period to receive any payments.
Grace worried about how she was going to manage during this difficult and emotional time.
Our caseworker took the time to talk through all the options with Grace and provided her with the details she needed to contact the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to apply for a funeral grant. If eligible, the DWP will pay the essential costs of a funeral, however this is usually only around half of the total.
Our caseworker advised that ScotsCare could also assist with a funeral grant of £1,000 towards her mother’s burial costs. Grace was very relieved to hear this.
Grace had no one to help her, as she had just moved to London from Luton to be near her mum. So, new to London, without her support network, money and of course, she had just lost her Mum, she faced a daunting situation. ScotsCare offered Grace a supermarket voucher for food due to her circumstances, but more importantly she agreed for a befriender to call her once a week.
Our caseworker still checks in with Grace occasionally to see how everything is going for her. Our befriending volunteer had been in touch and they agreed a day and time to call back.
Our caseworker said “She felt much better knowing that she had support and that the financial worry had been eased somewhat.”
Have you recently lost a loved one? Contact us on our helpline 0800 652 2989 to find out more about how we can assist you at this difficult time.