74-Year-Old Sent Condolence Letter Saying She Had Died After DWP Error — Benefits Frozen

Barbara Skedd, 74, was left in "absolute horror" when she opened a letter from North West Leicestershire District Council dated 21 May addressed to her executors and offering condolences for her death. The council says it sent the letter after being incorrectly informed of her death by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

The error triggered the council's routine process: a condolence letter and the suspension of means-tested payments. As a result, several payments Skedd relies on were temporarily stopped, including her Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), pension and Pension Credit. Skedd says the freeze left her unable to buy food, put petrol in her car or attend her weekly bingo.

"Everything stopped dead," Skedd told the BBC. "I've not had money to buy food, no money to put petrol in my car. I can't do anything or go anywhere."

Skedd described the emotional impact of the error: "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." She said family and friends helped by lending her money, but she is concerned about repaying them.

Skedd said she deserves to know how the mix-up happened [BBC]

She criticised the handling of the case by both the council and the DWP. Skedd says she called the DWP repeatedly to correct the record and was told an officer would visit her at home to confirm she was alive — a suggestion she found distressing. After the visit she says she received no full explanation or apology beyond reassurance that payments would be reinstated.

Her friend Catherine Lockwood, 72, said: "She's a broken woman. I've never known Barbara to be so upset and crying like she is and not eating. I just don't get what the authorities have done."

Some payments have since been restored: Skedd received PIP and IIDB this week after both were almost two weeks late. She has been told her monthly Pension Credit will arrive soon, nine weeks after her last payment, but she is still waiting for her state pension to be paid. The council says it has reinstated all payments it controls and placed a temporary hold on council tax demands while the incident is resolved with the DWP.

Catherine Lockwood said she has never known her friend to be so upset [BBC]

Council and DWP Responses

North West Leicestershire District Council confirmed it was incorrectly informed of a resident's death by the DWP and said the notification triggered its standard processes. The council said it had apologised to the resident, offered support and believed the case to be isolated.

A DWP spokesperson said an officer had contacted Mrs Skedd and apologised for the distress caused by an administrative error. The department said it had been working urgently to resolve the matter, had reinstated all payments including arrears, and was investigating how the error occurred.

Skedd has also raised the issue with the office of Amanda Hack, the Labour MP for North West Leicestershire, which said it was looking into the matter.

Why this matters: Administrative errors that incorrectly record a person as deceased can cause immediate financial hardship and severe emotional distress for vulnerable claimants. The case highlights the need for stronger safeguards and clearer communication between government departments and local authorities.