Dissapointed client

My late husband had been paying his Sanlam life policy for more than 10 years. It was unfortunate that in 2023 he was unemployed from March, we had paid it right up and till November 2023. Since he was not working i could not afford to pay the premiums on my own. In January 2024 it lapsed and Sadly he took ill and in April 2024 he passed. The policy had lapsed just 4 months before he could pass and Sanlam refused to pay. I understand it was a risk cover and at the time of passing he was not covered however i wrote a letter of motivation stating that Sanlam could deduct those premiums and help me as i was the sole provider in the home. The request went to the highest level however i was turned down. I had lost all those premiums we paid. I would have been happy with even a quarter of what i would have been paid out. I still have my RA with them and im paying faithfully every month.