Life insurance via union question

Hello,

My mom died a couple of months ago but hadn’t been working for a couple years per her union her benefits health care and life insurance ended in July 2023. My mom didn’t stop working out of choice she simply could not physically work.

I’ve read that it’s not uncommon to have life insurance end once the person stop working but it’s it legal? To me it seems like unless you die on the job then tough luck. I don’t think people choose when to die.

In my mom’s case she was a long term union member and paid a ton of dues and was told upon death there would be a life insurance for her family (me). I’ve spoken to former coworkers of hers who told me the union fought to pay out life insurances but then relented since it’s impossible for someone to choose to die on the job and most wouldn’t want to go out that way.

I went through all my mom’s mail from the union and nothing states everything cancelled once you stop working it specifically says health insurance.

I’ve appealed with the union on that basis since when my mom originally joined the union she was told upon death her life insurance which was for life even after work would be paid out. Unfortunately my mom moved a few times so some paperwork may be lost I don’t see the original contract though I assume the union has it. My mom was insistent as her health declined there was a life insurance for her. Even the union rep I spoke to after her death stated that. I also asked her former coworkers is there an option to port the life insurance to another company and pay it themselves and they say no.

Do I have a chance of overturning the union policy? Is this how life insurances usually are?

Thank you in advance.

submitted by /u/Physical_Guidance_39
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