Cassie Shiels’ hopes to marry Cliff, her partner of 13 years, were scuppered by Covid last May. Six weeks later, tragedy struck.
He collapsed upstairs in their home and died of a heart attack. On its own the grief for Cassie, 32, and their three children was a terrible burden enough.
But now she has been denied £10,000 in bereavement benefits by the government - because they weren't married. Cassie is among thousands of unmarried men and women each year who lose a partner, with no bereavement payment.
After defeats in the Supreme Court since 2018, ministers promised almost a year ago to extend Bereavement Support Payment to unmarried couples with children.
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