Student saddled with debt after father’s death unable to claim support

A young woman has been left with more than £3,000 of debt after her father passed away and she was unable to claim any state help to cover funeral costs.

Cerys Evans, 20, from Caerphilly, was ineligible for any support because she is a full-time student.

Cerys, who is studying psychology with criminology and criminal justice at the University of South Wales, was left devastated when her 51-year-old father, William Evans, died unexpectedly in May this year.

Mr Evans’ death was not linked to Covid-19, but due to the measures in place to stop the spread of the virus, Cerys was unable to visit him while he was in hospital.

As her father’s next of kin, decisions regarding funeral arrangements came down to Cerys, who juggles university work with a part-time job at Boots.

She said: “When it came down to organising the funeral, I assumed as a full-time student, I would be able to apply and claim the funeral expenses payment as I earn under the threshold and I am obviously in full-time education.

“However, I was rejected for this fund as I do not claim benefits.

“The government does not allow students to claim benefits, so many students have been stuck in the middle and have gotten themselves into so much debt trying to cover their family members’ funeral costs.

“I am now financially unstable. This will stay with me for a while – it will affect my credit score, my chances of a mortgage and so much more. I am struggling to pay my own phone bill.

“This has also led to me struggling massively with my mental health whilst trying to grieve. It is not fair that the government encourages young people like myself to go to university when there is no further support for students who are next of kins.

“I have spoken to many students who have been in the same situation as myself, and they are still suffering with the debt today.”

Cerys added: “My dad’s funeral was very basic. There was no wake because of Covid-19 and it cost £3,035 – that was without the cost of flowers and the burial fee for his ashes, which I currently cannot afford due to the amount of debt I am now in.

“The funeral expenses payment would have massively helped with these costs. I want to make sure other students don’t have to face this problem.”

Cerys has started a petition to raise awareness of the issue and to put pressure on the UK Government to change the law to stop other students in her position going through the same ordeal.

A UK Government spokesperson said: “Losing a loved one is incredibly distressing and our hearts go out to anyone experiencing bereavement.

“The financial assistance we offer is targeted at those on qualifying benefits to ensure that the most vulnerable are supported with these costs.”

To sign the petition, visit obv.sr/fncspt