Benefit claimants found dead after debt errors

A MUM-OF-FOUR found dead at her home aged 46, 'frustrated to the point of desperation' by the benefits system and an aspiring nurse wrongly chased for more than £1,000,who sadly took her own life at the age of 31.

- BY HELENA VESTY, STEVE BAGNALL

These were two lives cut tragically short in Greater Manchester.

Two coroners and both their families agree these women were tormented over benefits.

The two were harangued by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), regarding supposed debts running into the hundreds and thousands. However that turned out to be erroneous.

They faced losing their own homes as a result, because DWP failures led to their housing benefits being revoked.

Last week, protesters took over a hotel in Manchester where DWP consultants were discussing the government's incoming benefits reforms. The proposed cuts include changes to the personal independence payment (PIP), carer's allowance, and universal credit.

The campaigners gave a grave warning: People have died because of cuts to their benefits, and it will happen again.

"People who say being on benefits is a lifestyle choice are taking the Mickey. These cuts will push up the suicide rate among disabled people," protester Dr Dylan Murphy, 56, said.

"It’s causing immense stress and fear to people terrified they are going to lose their lifeline."

The Express has covered at least two deaths in recent years linked to dire DWP failings with both people being chased by the government arm for debts it said were owed, then proven to be completely false.

Kristie Hunt was just 31 when she died by suicide following an overdose in November 2023.

Kristie, who received disability benefits, lived in Swinburne Green in Stockport.

She was known to family and friends as 'Krissi' and was a bright, vivacious young woman who cared deeply about other people and aspired to be a nurse, her family said.

She had been diagnosed with a number of mental health conditions, and had a history of substance abuse and self-harm.