UNWANTED MAIL: Malcolm Pearse
THE partner of a woman who died in April has slammed officials for repeatedly asking to explain why she has not shown up for appointments with the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).Darlington woman Patricia Howe, 48, died after suffering a massive brain haemorrhage in April.
Despite her partner immediately informing them of her death, the DWP continued to send Ms Howe letters.
Since her death, Ms Howe has been invited to attend appointments to discuss her claim for Employment and Support Allowance.
When she failed to attend, she received more letters demanding to know why she had not been present.
Malcolm Pearse, her partner of 14 years, slammed the actions of the DWP and said he had been left devastated by their incompetence
He said: “I told them the day after she died and they stopped her money straight away but they are still sending letters.
“I’ve told them, if they need Trish to attend, they need to stop sending letters and get in touch with a psychic. They are total idiots and it is like banging my head against a brick wall.
“Their paperwork must be all over the place. When they want money off you, they are quick enough to act.
“I got up on Friday and was going to do all sorts of things but got their latest letter and it knocked me right back. You think you are just starting to get somewhere and then it comes up again and again. It is hard enough as it is.
“They are a law unto themselves. I just want them to leave me to grieve but there’s more chance of Paul Gascoigne getting fog on the Tyne than getting them to sort anything out.”
A spokeswoman from the Department of Work and Pensions said: “This was an unfortunate administrative error which we are very sorry about. We will be writing to Mr Pearse to apologise for any distress caused”
http://chill4us.com/news/dead-darlington-woman-asked-why-she-has-not-attended-dwp-appointments
