Martin Lewis reduced to tears after reading viewer’s letter

Martin Lewis admitted he was brought to tears after receiving a heartfelt letter from a fan of his money saving show.

Lewis shared the letter with the world on Good Morning Britain today (19 July), telling his co-host Susannah Reid that it came after he'd gone through a 'stressful couple of weeks'.

The finance journalist explained he'd received a 'lovely message', but when Reid asked whether the message was proof that Lewis was the 'cost of living crisis hero in action', Lewis responded: "No, no - this is something else."

ITV

Written by someone who 'regularly' watches Lewis' Money Saving Expert show, the letter read: "In 2015, I was sadly and suddenly widowed at the age of 38.

"I was unable to claim widowed parents allowance due to not actually being married to my long-term partner and received little help from the government to then bring up alone our three children.

"Back in May this year, I saw your information that said change in the law... now allowed claims for unmarried parents, and it's worth applying to have this backdated.

"I did this, and today I received a letter from DWP (Department for Work and Pensions). I have been awarded £34,049 in back dated money and this is in my account already."

Twitter/@DWPgovuk

The viewer went on to say they 'cannot explain' what the money means to them, adding: "I cried for an hour and just had to get in touch. My kids are grown up now and I am able to help them with their own struggles and housing."

Lewis admitted he had 'some tears in [his] eyes' after reading the letter, and urged others to try and make use of the claim while they still have the chance.

"It runs out in February next year," Lewis said, adding: "This wasn't on the agenda to talk about this morning but I had to talk about it. Spread the word people!"

ITV

Reid praised her co-host for the way he's helped members of the public, joking: "Not all heroes wear capes, some don't even wear ties."

In January, the DWP confirmed it would be extending Bereavement Support Payment and Widowed Parent’s Allowance to working age unmarried parents who were not married or in a civil partnership when their partner died.

Previously, the bereavement support payment and the widowed parent's allowance were only available when an eligible parent was married or in a civil partnership.

Martin Lewis' Money Saving Expert website shared the news of the law change, stressing that backdated bereavement support payments would be available.