![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/mums-death-left-two-children-heartbroken-and-unable-to-pay-bills-or-rent/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/08/0_SOCIAL_EXC.jpg&description=When mum-of-four Sharon Kent died in April this year, her youngest two children were left struggling to pay the bills and rent as they couldn't access bereavement support payment Sharon Kent was a beautiful friend, caring sister, selfless support worker and, most importantly, an incredible mum to four beloved children who all thought of her as their absolute world. In April this year, Sharon tragically lost her life to lung cancer at the age of 57, after a year-and-a-half battle with the debilitating disease, having "fought her socks off" to be with her kids for as long as possible. Her youngest two children, Misty, then 20, and Cailean, then 19, were living at home and financially dependent on Sharon when she was diagnosed, and became her primary carers at the end of her fight. When Sharon passed away, Misty and Cailean were unable to access a bereavement support payment (BSP) from the Government - to help pay for household bills and rent - because of one huge flaw in the regulations. Sharon, from Barnsley, was proudly single and so her next of kin, Misty and Cailean, didn't qualify for BSP. The BSP is a benefit that you can claim if your partner dies, and is usually a £3,500 lump sum followed by 18 monthly payments of £350, if you are responsible for a child under the age of 20. In February this year, a new court ruling allowed cohabiting partners - that aren't married to their spouse - access to the payment. It was a huge step that was celebrated by many, but it wasn't progressive enough, according to Sharon's family. If a person is single and lives with their family, friend or children, their next of kin gets nothing. So despite the pair of them being aged 20 and under, Misty and Cailean, were left scrambling to find money for the rent and bills that Sharon previously paid for. It was 'massively difficult' for them and Sharon's older children, Aidan, 30, and Misha, 28, to cope. Sharon's eldest daughter Misha is now campaigning to change the BSP to help other fam){kind=link}
When mum-of-four Sharon Kent died in April this year, her youngest two children were left struggling to pay the bills and rent as they couldn’t access bereavement support payment
Sharon Kent was a beautiful friend, caring sister, selfless support worker and, most importantly, an incredible mum to four beloved children who all thought of her as their absolute world.
In April this year, Sharon tragically lost her life to lung cancer at the age of 57, after a year-and-a-half battle with the debilitating disease, having “fought her socks off” to be with her kids for as long as possible.
Her youngest two children, Misty, then 20, and Cailean, then 19, were living at home and financially dependent on Sharon when she was diagnosed, and became her primary carers at the end of her fight.
When Sharon passed away, Misty and Cailean were unable to access a bereavement support payment (BSP) from the Government – to help pay for household bills and rent – because of one huge flaw in the regulations.