Last week we had a body blow.   

As you may remember, last Friday Sally was due to attend a Tribunal at the Social Security office.  She was to be given the opportunity to state her case and explain why she should be eligible to receive Widows Pension.   After a loving relationship of 31 years, John fell sick.  For the next 10 years Sally cared for John at home rather than send him to an NHS nursing home.   This obviously had a detrimental impact on her ability to earn and following his death last year, Sally is now unable to work full time but is not being paid Widows Pension or any other form of Social Services benefit.  She is not yet 60 and can't claim her State Pension.

On Thursday afternoon last week Sally received a phone call from Social Security.   A very optimistic and helpful young lady enquired whether Sally had prepared all the correct paperwork.  This was news to Sally; what paperwork?   Of course, the administrators in the Social Security office had forgotten to send her any forms.   After being put on hold for what must have seemed hours, she was told that the Tribunal could not take place without the correct paperwork having been returned.     

So now we are waiting for another Tribunal date.   We don't know when this might be; due to the administrative error it could be days, months or a year.   That little beam of hope for a fair hearing is now a very distant glimmer indeed.  Meanwhile Sally's small savings pot is diminishing and her chances of finding full time employment are small due to her age.   Despite the disappointment we are all trying to stay optimistic for Sally and she is making a huge effort to recover her life - and her finances.

In the next update I hope to be able to tell you when the Tribunal will take place.  I will also be asking you to write to your MP with a suggested template.  

Don't be caught out - make sure you understand the present laws.  There are several other benefits which are not available to people even in very long term common law relationships.   

Please support and share our campaign - this issue is important to so many independent women and men who prefer not to marry simply for possible financial gain.