Ibstock woman told of own death in letter as benefits stopped

Barbara Skedd was in “absolute horror” when she opened a letter addressed to her executors offering them condolences on her death.

The 74-year-old received a letter to her Ibstock home, in Leicestershire, from North West Leicestershire District Council in May to update its council tax records following the family’s “recent bereavement”.

Due to her reported “death”, Skedd’s benefits stopped, which she said left her “broken” as she was unable to buy food or go out.

The council said the letter was standard procedure after being informed by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) of a person’s death. The DWP has apologised for the “administrative error” and said payments had now been reinstated.

Skedd said she was in tears after the initial shock of reading that she had died in the council letter, dated 21 May.

She said anger then followed when she discovered all her benefit money, including her Personal Independence Payment (PIP), Industrial Injuries Disablement Benefit (IIDB), pension and pension credit – had been frozen.

“Everything stopped dead,” she 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.

“I go out once a week to my bingo, I’ve not even been able to do that.”