Mum, 60, took own life after DWP rejected her PIP application and mortgage went up £600 a month Kathleen Moore saw her application for benefits rejected and her mortgage payments shoot up Kathleen Moore, who took her own life aged 60 A daughter is fighting for more support to be made available to over 60s after she believes that a lack of access to financial help drove her mum to take her own life following years of money worries. Kathleen Moore, 60, found herself struggling to make her mortgage payments after they shot up by £600-a-month. ‌ The mum-of-two suffered from osteoporosis, hindering her ability to work. Unable to work as many hours due to her health, Kathleen applied for personal independence payment (PIP) and universal credit but was told she didn't meet the criteria - due to her age and because she had a mortgage. Since Kathleen’s death on August 15 2024, her daughter, Amy, has looked into the impact that money worries may have played in her mother’s decision to take her own life. Amy, a cleaner, said her family had not realised the true impact that money troubles were having on their mother’s life, saying she seemed to "have a dip but get back on her feet". Article continues below It was only after Kathleen’s death that her family realised the significance that money anxiety had been having on their mother’s life and mental health. Kathleen Moore, who took her own life aged 60 Amy said: "It wasn't really until she'd gone that we looked at all the paperwork and saw how desperate she'd become. ‌ "She could never really make ends meet. She got desperate and bought into loan sharks. She was so worried all the time about having a roof over her head." After Kathleen split from her partner four years ago and her mortgage payments increased, Amy saw that her mum was becoming increasingly anxious about her finances She said: "She was with her partner for 10 years and they went their separate ways. It made it difficult for my mum financially. ‌ "The interest rates went up. I think her mortgage went up from £100 to £600-a-month." Though Amy had offered her mum to stay with her if she needed, she said Kathleen was "proud" and wanted to stay in her own home. Amy said: "It took its toll on her. It took a lot for her to ask for help - I think she was ashamed." ‌ Since realising the severity of her mother’s money struggles, and the impact that this may have had on her mental health, Amy is calling for more financial assistance to be made available to those aged over 60. Amy Evans and her mother Kathleen Moore Amy explained that money worries had “consumed” her mum, and said that if more support had been offered then she “would still be here”. ‌ She is now campaigning for a review into the eligibility criteria for universal credit and personal independence payment (PIP), and has set up a petition calling on a government review. She said: "She wasn't entitled to universal credit because she had a mortgage. She wasn't poorly enough for PIP. "Everywhere she turned there were no answers.” ‌ Amy hopes that a review of these support systems will ensure that individuals aged 60 and over who are self-employed, carers, or single without dependents are no longer "unfairly" excluded from vital financial support. Alongside financial help, Amy, from Lowestoft, is also calling for a dedicated mental health counselling service to be made available for those aged 60 and over. She added: "She needed a financial solution. Someone to talk to could have changed what she was planning." Article continues below Amy now hopes that her petition will make improvements for others in a similar situation to her mum, and remembers Kathleen as being "the life and soul of most parties" as well as a "very resilient" mother.