Government sends woman letter saying she can claim a pension, 21 years after she died
THE Department for Work and Pensions has sent a woman a letter saying she can claim pension money — 21 years after she died.
The
-
family of Lillian Welch, who died aged 58 in February 1989, this week
picked up the letter offering her a chance to claim pension money.
Two
of Lillian's daughters, Jill Rowe and Hannah Todd, said they were
'shocked and upset' about the letter — particularly as it would have
been Lilian's 80th birthday on Wednesday next week.
The DWP has apologised for the mistake but the daughters said they nevertheless wanted to highlight the bungle.
The
letter landed on the mat of Lillian's final family home in Landrake,
near Saltash, dated July 14. It was addressed to Lilian Sparks, her
previous married name.
It was from the Pension Service, which
comes under the DWP. It said: "We believe you may be missing out on
getting some state pension you are entitled to.
"This is because we have no record of you claiming child benefit from 1978.
"Child
benefit used to be called family allowance. If you were in receipt of
child benefit for one full tax year or more since 1978 you might get
home responsibilities protection."
The letter also asked for her to fill in her children's names — of which she had seven.
Hannah Todd, 46, said: "We couldn't believe it when we found the letter.
"We
know it's a mistake, but we were shocked and upset when we read it. How
has the DWP sent a letter to someone who has been dead for 21 years?
"We
appreciate the DWP has now apologised but we hope it will now go
through all its records to make sure no other family is shocked in this
way in the future."
Mrs Todd also pointed out her mum never claimed any pension money as she died aged 58.
Jill Rowe, 55, said: "It's a shame this letter wasn't sent in the 1980s. She may well have claimed then."
A
Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: "Letters like these
are sent to ensure pension recipients are getting all the benefits they
are entitled to.
"Clearly in this case the letter's been sent in error, and we hope the family accept our most sincere apology."
18 Comments
View all
by Will, Gosport
Sunday, July 25 2010, 3:28PM
“Come on some of peeps winging about news, I think the main point they want to get across is to make it known about the DWP error.”
by Melanie, Plymouth
Sunday, July 25 2010, 2:32PM
“My own mother died 13 years ago. We still have post coming through the door on an almost daily basis even though companies have been notified. Can I have my photo taken looking upset and annoyed? Seriously just do what everyone else does, phone the DWP and sort it out. No need to go to the press over something as petty as this. Get a grip. When my mother died she was 49. Does this mean that when the DWP send through her rights to pensions/buspasses etc I have the right to get upset?!?
This is life. 99.9% of us get on with it.”
by Vinnie Garstroke, Plymouth
Sunday, July 25 2010, 12:16PM
“I get a letter every year assessing my child tax credit as zero (kids now 25 & 27).
Are you interested Herald? I think it would make a terrific story.
If you're sending a photographer round give me some warning so I can have a flick round with a duster and practice my sad face”
by ian s, Plymouth
Sunday, July 25 2010, 11:24AM
“DWP deal with millions of people a year, at least in this case they were checking to make sure this lady was getting what she may have been entitled too. The fact that she was dead should have flagged up but obviously did not. A mistake for sure least it wasn`t a bill for over payment!”
by Paulo flapovskin,, polandmuff
Sunday, July 25 2010, 10:08AM
“technoledgy err Concerned OV plimuff did you bunk off school? Cretin. As for the picture/story what a complete waste of bandwith. Compo claim anyone?”