Mr X’s partner had recently and suddenly died and he came to the Kent Gateway, knowing he had to register the death but at a loss for what to do next.
His partner (Ms Y) was a 31 year old divorced woman with 2 children, aged 10 and 12. The father of the eldest child had legal custody and Ms Y had custody of the youngest child.
Mr X and Ms Y had plans to marry in May next year, but her metastatic cancer was diagnosed the previous month and she died within 4 weeks. The day before she died they decided to apply for a guardianship licence, but unfortunately they were too late (this takes approximately twelve weeks).
Mr X is the executor of her will, but not the father of her children.
There is a possession order on their home which is owned by a Housing Association, and Mr X is not registered on the tenancy, although he had been living there for some time.
Mr X’s wage is paid directly into Ms Y’s bank account, and she has multiple debts.
Following the formal registration of the death, Mr X was taken to meet other Gateway staff where an emergency referral was made for the children, a referral for immediate housing need made on the spot, and a referral to Kent Benefits Partnership to determine his benefit entitlements.
Mr X was enormously impressed with the availability and accessibility of the staff and the services offered in one visit.