A man left living in his car has criticized the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) for ruining his retirement after a series of errors, including letters stating he had died. Graham Longstaff, who had planned to spend his retirement in Portugal with his partner Karen van der Burgh, 55, saw his dreams shattered by the DWP's mistakes.
Series of Errors
The DWP made multiple errors, including paying his pension late and making an accidental deduction of £250, which cast doubt on his visa application. As a result, Graham lost his rental property in Portugal. Additionally, the DWP sent him two letters incorrectly stating he had died.
Graham, Karen, and their 14-year-old cat Isabella were left living in their car in the North East of England. Graham expressed his frustration: "The DWP has lost me everything that I have invested in moving to Portugal. They have lost me my retirement plan. If they had not lost me my rental contract we would still be there and my partner would be able to work."
Impact on Retirement
He added: "We would be earning £1,600 euros a month. That doesn't sound like very much but, in Portugal, you live like a king on that. My whole retirement plan has gone down the tubes. I'm having to go back to the UK and go back to work instead of enjoying my retirement."
Graham condemned the DWP's handling: "How can a Government treat their people like this? How can they justify the fact they have messed up? How can you force people to go back to work when they have worked all their lives? There's mismanagement. They have no empathy and no sympathy."
Seeking Compensation
Graham has sought compensation for the inconvenience and lost rental, but the DWP has refused. He plans to take the case to the parliamentary ombudsman. A DWP spokesperson said: "We are sorry for the errors made in Mr Longstaff's case and the distress this has caused him and his partner. We have been in contact with Mr Longstaff directly and have issued a refund."
