{"id":2256,"date":"2026-07-09T08:42:56","date_gmt":"2026-07-09T03:42:56","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=2256"},"modified":"2026-07-09T08:42:56","modified_gmt":"2026-07-09T03:42:56","slug":"widow-faces-impossible-choice-as-bereavement-payments-end","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/?p=2256","title":{"rendered":"Widow faces impossible choice as bereavement payments end"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><script>\r\n  atOptions = {\r\n    'key' : '644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6',\r\n    'format' : 'iframe',\r\n    'height' : 90,\r\n    'width' : 728,\r\n    'params' : {}\r\n  };\r\n<\/script>\r\n<script src=\"https:\/\/www.highperformanceformat.com\/644b717812d811d6a1c1fc5b6ccd6fa6\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<br \/>\n<\/p>\n<div xmlns:default=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" data-article-body=\"true\" data-body-type=\"bodyblocks\">\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A widow has told how she was left facing an impossible choice after her husband&#8217;s death &#8211; sell the family home or return to work and put her two sons into full-time childcare.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Lorraine Wallace, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, is now campaigning for changes to better support grieving families after her bereavement support payments (BSP) ended.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Her husband David was diagnosed with bowel cancer in January 2023 and died 21 months later, aged 44. He is survived by Lorraine, 42, and their sons Adam, 10, and 8-year-old Joey.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The UK government said BSP provided short-term support, while other benefits were available if longer-term income support was needed.<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"A person in a black hoodie sits on a brown leather sofa between two young children wearing school uniforms. The three are positioned in front of a large picture window overlooking a residential street with houses, hedges, and trees.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/a01a3c57bd54c5c674e1c280d8dcdaef5bd4b0534d770c9ff36013d2b52a9d41\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960;quality_80;format_webp\/https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2Fce8bedff9c0e333774c833ca89d4a3fc\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><default:path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>David died of bowel cancer in 2024 [Lorraine Wallace]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Since the payments stopped Lorraine has been able to work part-time while supporting her sons but she said that was no longer an option.<\/p>\n<nav aria-labelledby=\"_R_22ihlhl8b4lubsnqq5b_\" class=\"my-6 flex flex-col gap-4 rounded-xl bg-secondary p-4\">\n<div class=\"flex items-center gap-2\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"16\" height=\"16\" fill=\"none\" aria-hidden=\"true\" class=\"size-5 shrink-0\"><default:g clip-path=\"url(#purpleStar_svg__a)\"><default:path fill=\"#7D2EFF\" fill-rule=\"evenodd\" d=\"M7.201 2.56C8.51 1.138 9.621-.271 10.595.046c.974.318 1.038 2.11 1.255 4.03.135 1.198.7 2.31 1.59 3.126 1.424 1.308 2.832 2.42 2.515 3.394-.318.973-2.11 1.039-4.03 1.255-1.198.134-2.31.7-3.126 1.59-1.308 1.423-2.42 2.832-3.393 2.515-.974-.317-1.04-2.11-1.256-4.03A5 5 0 0 0 2.56 8.8C1.138 7.49-.271 6.379.046 5.405s2.109-1.039 4.03-1.256A5 5 0 0 0 7.2 2.561m-.156 6.78a1 1 0 0 0-.988.993c0 .535.408.96.955.96s.987-.45.988-.994a.937.937 0 0 0-.955-.96m1.102-4.157L6.59 8.973H8.33l1.559-3.79z\" clip-rule=\"evenodd\"\/><default:path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M7.045 9.34c.547 0 .954.416.955.96 0 .543-.441.993-.988.993a.94.94 0 0 1-.955-.96c0-.535.441-.993.988-.993M9.89 5.183l-1.56 3.79H6.59l1.558-3.79z\"\/><\/default:g><default:defs><default:clippath id=\"purpleStar_svg__a\"><default:path fill=\"#fff\" d=\"M0 0h16v16H0z\"\/><\/default:clippath><\/default:defs><\/default:svg><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"_R_22ihlhl8b4lubsnqq5b_\" class=\"text-primary headline-s-emphasized\">Go deeper with Yahoo Scout<\/h2>\n<\/div>\n<\/nav>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Speaking to BBC Scotland, Lorraine said: &#8220;My boys are already bereaved so it is natural for them to fear losing their other parent, and now in a time when they need me most I&#8217;m not going to be there.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;It is just me now, so I will have to rely on childcare before and after school. They will see me less and I will see them less.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Grief isn&#8217;t linear &#8211; 18 months doesn&#8217;t pass and everything is magically fine, which is what the support payment expects of you.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">BSP payments can be claimed by a spouse or partner following the death of a loved one and people can receive an initial payment of \u00a33,500, followed by 18 monthly payments of \u00a3350, totalling \u00a36,300.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">The support is not means-tested, payments are not taxed and can be paid in addition to other benefits.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">BSP payments have not risen since they were introduced in 2017.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Campaigners said they wanted to see the support extended until the youngest child reached the age of 18.<\/p>\n<h2 class=\"mb-4 text-xl font-bold md:text-2xl\">&#8216;The life we built together has been whipped from under my feet&#8217;<\/h2>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Lorraine explained: &#8220;If I don&#8217;t go back to work, we could lose our home, we wouldn&#8217;t be able to go on holidays and I&#8217;d have to tell the boys they can no longer go to their sports clubs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;They shouldn&#8217;t suffer more from this.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She fears the impact of being away from home so much will affect her two sons who already struggle with their grief.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Lorraine added: &#8220;The thought of being away from my boys really worries me. Their emotional needs aren&#8217;t going to go away.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;They still need their mum around &#8211; they are still little.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;They are still primary school children who have had a horrific change in family circumstances which has had a huge impact on their life.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Not only am I missing that one person in my life I thought I was going to grow old with, the life we built together has been whipped from under my feet.&#8221;<\/p>\n<figure class=\"relative mb-4\">\n<div class=\"relative\"><img alt=\"Two people stand together in a hotel or function venue corridor with cream striped walls and a red patterned carpet. One person wears a light striped button-down shirt and jeans, while the other wears a dark floral dress and glasses.\" loading=\"lazy\" width=\"960\" height=\"540\" decoding=\"async\" data-nimg=\"1\" class=\"rounded-lg\" style=\"color:transparent\" src=\"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/d9f3aa423cc1e3550bfb6c49251bdce455a55fc7a7b7e9472c30f5e0e4dfdc98\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w960;quality_80;format_webp\/https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2Fd3bf30f88fa346964fa9f31543072825\"\/><button aria-label=\"View larger image\" class=\"group absolute bottom-0 size-full\" data-ylk=\"elm:expand;itc:1;sec:image-lightbox;slk:lightbox-open;\"><span class=\"absolute bottom-3 right-3 rounded-full bg-primary p-3 opacity-100 shadow-elevation-3 transition-opacity duration-300 group-hover:block group-hover:opacity-100 md:p-[17px] lg:bottom-6 lg:right-6 lg:bg-primary\/90 lg:p-5 lg:opacity-0 lg:shadow-none\"><default:svg xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"24\" height=\"24\" viewbox=\"0 0 24 24\" aria-hidden=\"true\" focusable=\"false\" class=\"flex-none size-4 -scale-x-100 text-primary lg:size-6 [&amp;_path]:fill-current\"><default:path fill=\"currentColor\" d=\"M3.1 3.1V11h1.8V6.314l5.392 5.393 1.415-1.414L6.313 4.9H11V3.1zm17.8 17.8V13h-1.8v4.686l-5.393-5.393-1.415 1.414 5.393 5.393H13v1.8z\"\/><\/default:svg><\/span><\/button><dialog aria-label=\"Modal Dialog\" aria-modal=\"true\" class=\"fixed bottom-0 left-0 right-0 top-0 z-4 size-full max-h-none max-w-none bg-primary hidden\"\/><\/div><figcaption class=\"relative text-sm mt-1 pr-2.5\">\n<p>Lorraine said she struggles to be the breadwinner while helping the children with their grief [Lorraine Wallace]<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">Lorraine &#8211; along with 100,000 others who have signed <a data-ylk=\"slk:the petition;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/petition.parliament.uk\/petitions\/752501\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\">the petition<\/a> &#8211; is calling for the UK government to raise the payment and increase it beyond 18 months.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">She said: &#8220;There are plenty of others who are going to find themselves in my situation &#8211; struggling financially and emotionally.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;David paid into his national insurance for 20 years &#8211; this outstrips what we have been given in its entirety.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;The hardest thing is I am wearing so many hats.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;I am trying to be their grief counsellor, their mum, their breadwinner as well as trying to navigate my own grief and support my children.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">After a petition hits 100,000 signatures it can considered for debate at Westminster.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">On Thursday Lorraine will be part of the group travelling to London to hand in a copy at Downing Street.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">A spokesperson for the DWP said: &#8220;Bereavement Support Payment provides short term financial support, with higher amounts paid for those with children.<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\">&#8220;Further help with everyday living costs may be available through benefits such as Universal Credit which provide targeted, means-tested support to those in greatest need.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p class=\"mb-4 text-lg md:leading-8 break-words\"><em>If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this story, support and advice is available via the <\/em><a data-ylk=\"slk:BBC Action Line.;elm:context_link;itc:0;sec:content-canvas;\" data-yga=\"{&quot;yLinkElement&quot;:&quot;link&quot;,&quot;yLinkElementType&quot;:&quot;article_link&quot;}\" href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/programmes\/articles\/4MmhHDSbdDmTpVJhBs2v4Py\/information-and-support-bereavement-and-end-of-life-care?xtor=AL-72-%5Bpartner%5D-%5Byahoo.north.america%5D-%5Blink%5D-%5Bnews%5D-%5Bbizdev%5D-%5Bisapi%5D\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer nofollow\" target=\"_blank\"><em>BBC Action Line.<\/em><\/a><\/p>\n<\/div>\n<script async=\"async\" data-cfasync=\"false\" src=\"https:\/\/pl30214220.effectivecpmnetwork.com\/9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\/invoke.js\"><\/script>\r\n<div id=\"container-9ab3d4df8a7e1a6171e16ddbf732cc19\"><\/div>\r\n\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A widow has told how she was left facing an impossible choice after her husband&#8217;s death &#8211; sell the family home or return to work and put her two sons into full-time childcare. Lorraine Wallace, from Kirkcaldy, Fife, is now campaigning for changes to better support grieving families after her bereavement support payments (BSP) ended&#8230;.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2257,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"fifu_image_url":"https:\/\/s.yimg.com\/lo\/mysterio\/api\/f7db38d7e2097c5cf35f68d18fa273827bfa7873f2fdb4597a26a28c9f55dde7\/lightyear_networkapi\/resizefill_w1200;quality_80;format_webp\/https:%2F%2Fmedia.zenfs.com%2Fen%2Fbbc_us_articles_995%2F8209fd7cb4680f8fb2c10e6a89003572","fifu_image_alt":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[18],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2256","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-real-trending-viral-news"],"brizy_media":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2256","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2256"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2256\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2257"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2256"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2256"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/usnews-14267fa.ingress-comporellon.ewp.live\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2256"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}