The family of Danielle Gwyer, a 35-year-old mother of three from Cramlington, Northumberland, who died of cervical cancer on June 13, has condemned the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for refusing bereavement support to help cover funeral costs. Gareth Gwyer, her husband of 17 years, applied for the Bereavement Support Payment to assist with the estimated £4,000 to £5,000 funeral expenses but was denied because Danielle had not paid enough National Insurance contributions.
Danielle's battle with cancer and final days
Danielle was diagnosed with terminal cervical cancer in February and was told she had about 12 months to live. Earlier this month, she realized her body was shutting down and was admitted to Northumbria Specialist Emergency Care Hospital. Six days later, on June 13, she passed away. While in hospital, she married Gareth, 39, who had given up work to care for her. The couple had planned a wedding ceremony at the Holiday Inn at Seaton Burn on June 19 but did not make it to their big day.
DWP refusal and family's outrage
Gareth, now caring for their three children—Kenzie, 16, Kadie, 14, and Darcie, 11—applied for the Bereavement Support Payment. He received a letter stating: "You cannot get Bereavement Support Payment because your husband, wife, or civil partner did not pay enough National Insurance contributions." Danielle's family noted she had learning difficulties, depression, PTSD, heart failure, and terminal cancer. She was a stay-at-home mother while Gareth worked.
Gareth said: "It's a massive kick in the teeth. I feel like they are saying she was a person who wasn't worth it. I feel like she's worthless. Me and Danielle were always quite old fashioned - she looked after the kids and I was the provider and now that's come back and kicked us in the teeth."
Danielle's brother, Lee Green, 38, a sales manager from Bellingham, Northumberland, expressed his disgust: "I'm absolutely disgusted. I feel embarrassed to say this is Great Britain. This isn't Great Britain, there's nothing great about the system that we live in. How do they expect us to bury my sister? Do they expect us to now take her to a council tip because Gareth can't pay for a funeral without that support?"
Family's efforts to raise funds
Lee, who has worked for over 22 years with no gaps, said: "It has infuriated me that the support available to British citizens to help cover costs of a funeral has been refused to my sister's husband based on Government contributions!" The family is now trying to pool money together for the funeral. Lee also completed a hike from the Cumbrian coast to Blyth beach to raise awareness of cervical cancer.
Danielle's story and smear test plea
Danielle lost her own mother, Margaret Green, to breast cancer at age 47 in 1998, when Danielle was just seven. In April, she shared her story with ChronicleLive, urging women to attend smear tests. She had put off cervical screening due to embarrassment. Medics discovered cancer in her cervix that had spread to other organs when she sought help for breathing difficulties in February.
At the time, Danielle said: "I have had one smear test before, I kept putting them off. I thought it was embarrassing and I thought to myself I'll book it tomorrow. When I was told I had cervical cancer my first instinct was to say why didn't I go for that test? I was in shock. I thought it wouldn't happen to me. I was reliving what happened to my mam."
DWP response and next steps
A DWP spokesperson said: "We offer our sincere condolences to the family of Danielle Gwyer. Losing a loved one is devastating and we understand the financial impact it can have on families. Bereavement Support Payment eligibility is based on National Insurance contribution records, however anyone who disagrees with a decision has the right to request a mandatory reconsideration. We would encourage Mr Gwyer to contact the Bereavement Service helpline to discuss the support available to him and his family."
The Bereavement Support Payment provides a lump sum of up to £3,500 followed by eight monthly payments of £350 for those eligible. Gareth has also applied for a funeral grant but has not yet received a response.
