Hi Nicola
This is such an interesting question and one that I had not previously thought of.
I’m wondering what the eligibility criteria are for qualified resident-beneficiaries in your charity. For example, for us it is a minimum of 15 years’ service at sea for the primary applicant. The secondary applicant (spouse of the seafarer) is appointed on the back of the primary applicant’s sea service. If the secondary applicant is no longer married to the primary applicant, in our charity this would mean that the secondary applicant would no longer meet the criteria to live here. We do, however, accept applications from widows/widowers of seafarers, provided they were still married at the time that the seafarer passed away.
I appreciate that not all almshouse charities have criteria linked to specific careers, so this might not apply to you and your charity.
Kind regards
Cath Attwood
General Manager
The Trinity House Maritime Charity