The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been forced to apologise after a glaring administrative error led to a claimant being wrongly declared dead, resulting in the suspension of all her benefits.
Claimant's Benefits Stopped After DWP Error
Barbara Skedd, a recipient of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Pension Credit, Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), and the state pension, told the BBC she was in "absolute horror" after receiving a letter from the DWP. The department had incorrectly informed North West Leicestershire District Council that she had died, triggering a halt to all four of her benefit payments.
"Everything stopped dead," Skedd said. "I've not had money to buy food, no money to put petrol in my car. I can't do anything or go anywhere. I go out once a week to my bingo, I've not even been able to do that." She added: "Now, I'm just broken. It's been very stressful. I don't think I've ever been this low in my life before. I've absolutely hit rock bottom."
Council and DWP Respond
North West Leicestershire District Council acknowledged the error, stating: "We are aware of an instance where our team has been incorrectly informed of the death of a resident by the Department for Work and Pensions. This notification triggers a process for us, which includes sending a letter of condolence and stopping benefit payments." The council described the incident as an isolated instance and confirmed it had contacted the customer to apologise and offer further support. "We've reinstated all payments that we control and have put a hold on any council tax demands for the time being, while the issue is resolved with DWP," a council spokesperson said.
A DWP spokesperson expressed regret: "We have spoken with Mrs. Skedd and are sorry for the distress caused to her following an administrative error. We have been working urgently to resolve this matter and have now reinstated all of her payments, including arrears. We are continuing with our investigations on how such an error could have occurred."
Impact on Claimant
The error left Skedd without any income for a period, unable to afford basic necessities such as food and petrol. The DWP has since reinstated all payments and arrears, but the incident highlights the severe consequences of administrative mistakes in the benefits system.
