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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To expect the DWP to send the correct information to the correct people FYI I'm not and never have been dead.

115 replies

onlyjoking9329 · 18/10/2014 17:25

I'm rather cross, so I may well be unreasonable
So today the postie brings a letter from the DWP.
It is addressed to my son, he has ASD so I'm authorised to deal with paperwork etc on his behalf.

Letter says.....
Dear Master joking
We understand you were acting for, or have recently been appointed to act for the late Mrs onlyjoking.
Were are sorry to hear that mrs onlyjoking has died.
Apparently they owe me some backdated money from before I died, and would like to pay it to him.

I'm not very pleased, either DWP have cocked it up, which is not unheard of.
Or someone MIL has informed the DWP that I am in fact dead.
I will be having an interesting phone conversation on Monday.

Does anyone have ideas of what I should say to them, other than swearing.

OP posts:
DoughnutSelfie · 20/10/2014 11:17

Chrissake at suspending your benefits OJ

Fingers crossed your MP can expedite sorting this whole sorry mess my love x

Original poster
onlyjoking9329 · 20/10/2014 11:48

Well I suppose they think I won't need the benefits, what with being dead and all that.
Being serious though this has very much upset me, the fact that my son, who watched his father slowly die of cancer, should receive this letter.

OP posts:
diddl · 20/10/2014 13:05

That is awful!

Is the nearest office close enough to take in any info that would be acceptable as proof of who you are so that benefits won't be stopped?

LiverpoolLou · 20/10/2014 13:16

Why were they discussing it with you if they suspected it wasn't actually you on the phone? I can't believe they actually managed to tell you with a straight face that they were suspending your payments until they'd investigated whether or not you were dead.

goingloombandcrazy · 20/10/2014 13:16

Sorry you had someone who is following a script because they don't know what to do.

Ring your MP.
Go to your local job centre. Seriously kick up shit.

goingloombandcrazy · 20/10/2014 13:17

And yes everything is affected.

Wolfbasher · 20/10/2014 13:21

I would push very hard to find out if someone reported you dead, and for the records about it.

If it is your MIL, I would ring 101 and talk to the police. I imagine that this is a criminal offence, possibly more than one. To deprive you and your family of essential benefits is terrible. And she has cost the taxpayer money - all the DWP time to sort this out is costing money.

Good luck, and I'm sorry about all the hassle. Hope you are okay. I would contact your MP asap, given the stopped-benefits issue.

misdee · 20/10/2014 13:24

OJ I am very glad you aren't dead.

What a cock up by DWP. Bloody awful :(

Original poster
onlyjoking9329 · 20/10/2014 14:07

I'm not well enough to get to job centre today.
They asked me all the usual security questions, which I passed, despite being dead, they say they can't reinstate the benefits, only the resolution department can do that. The resolution department is very busy hence the five days it may take them to sort anything out and work out how it's happened. The irony is that it has taken them nearly a year to award me the benefit, which they had to back date. They didn't think I qualified despite being in a coma, maybe they want to bump me off so they don't have to deal with the two complaints already lodged never mind this one.
Glad to report that OJ is still very much alive even if the DWP dispute it.

OP posts:
BankWadger · 20/10/2014 14:13

OnlyJoking my mouth is hanging open. I want to not believe they are so incapable and callous, but at the same time I'm completely not surprised. At least the fuck up they made with DH's form (which is a rant in it's own for else where) seems to be pure incompetence, that in the scheme of things won't make any monetary difference to us. To cut your benefit while they figure out you're not actually dead, despite having seemingly been given no information to say you are in the first place is bloody appalling. Especially as you have a vulnerable family.

Finger crossed for a speedy resolution for you.

Becca19962014 · 20/10/2014 15:01

I'm so sorry they stopped your benefits. That's awful. Hope you can get hold of your MP soon.

PulpsNotFiction · 20/10/2014 15:32

onlyjoking I was going to advise you to take some photo ID in to your JCP office but I see from your post you're not well enough. There is a home visiting service available for anyone who is unable to attend the office, it might be worth starting the ball rolling and getting a visiting officer out to verify you are in fact very much alive and I would hope that as soon as that is done whether it's a suspension due to a cock up or a malicious one, that they'd lift it immediately and put it back into payment.

Honestly, start the ball rolling, I know none of this is your fault but if they don't contact you for another 5 working days then say 'take photo ID into JCP in person' and you can't, you'll just be left even longer without money.

diddl · 20/10/2014 15:34

It seems incredible that they can do anything at all without a signed death certificate, doesn't it?

Viviennemary · 20/10/2014 16:30

This seems very strange indeed. Normally a death certificate would be needed to put all this into motion. It's highly unlikely they would have done anything at all unless someone at least had informed them of this. Could they have mixed you up with somebody else with a similar name.

Penfold007 · 20/10/2014 16:44

I can't believe they stopped your benefits without a death certificate, bastards indeed.
I tried to stop my late uncle's benefits but they wouldn't without death cert so I had to send the money back.
If your MIL is responsible then you have to report her.

diddl · 20/10/2014 16:48

What is the chance though that someone with the same name, dob, address as OP has died?

how can they do anything on the strength of just a phone call??

quietbatperson · 20/10/2014 17:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

LuisSuarezTeeth · 20/10/2014 17:21

This is awful! I can't believe they can stop your money! How will you manage?

Original poster
onlyjoking9329 · 20/10/2014 17:22

I had to send DHs death certificate in, when I registered his death there were forms to fill in for DWP and forms which were supposed to be to stop people contacting him or me, it clearly didn't work as I still received stuff.
Even appointment and letters from the hospital to tell him he had missed some appointments. And to ask if he would like to take part in a medical study, to help with cancer treatment, you really couldn't make it up, I'd understand if people thought I was in fact a troll, but I don't think trolls are dead, maybe just zombie like.

OP posts:
Original poster
onlyjoking9329 · 20/10/2014 17:24

My name is very unusual so I can't see that being behind the mix up.

OP posts:
PingPongBat · 20/10/2014 17:24

WTAF - they can't reinstate your benefits without the resolution department... who won't get onto it for 5 days??? ...UNbelievable!!

f you haven't got on to your MP yet, get onto them tomorrow. And try your local CAB - mine has 'escalation' contacts (i.e. senior managers) within the DWP and they sort things out within hours, not days. So cross for you Angry

LuisSuarezTeeth · 20/10/2014 17:24

Can you get anyone to give you a hand with this? Sounds like it's going to impact heavily on your health Sad

PingPongBat · 20/10/2014 17:26

I also think you have a very good case for asking for some sort of compensation payment for the distress caused by this. It's usually paltry (I once saw a £20 goodwill payment form the DWP for messing about someone's benefits over a period of 6 months) but at least it's a recognition that they've f*ed up

BasketzatDawn · 20/10/2014 17:54

You do need to ask for the details of the person who reported. it is criminal fraud, I'd think. They do record all phone calls, don't they? If they can't tell you, they can tell the police. If it is your MIL then maybe a wee visit from the local constabulary would be a wake up call for her.

goingloombandcrazy · 20/10/2014 18:03

My partner says this is very bad they can't take a common sense approach.
Whoever rang would have gone through to the call centre and they would have taken details. All claims would only be suspended as there is a not verified date of death on it. Once death cert/ form from registrar received date of death would be changed to verified and money paid to person nominated on form.

You really do need to get into a job centre and kick up. Otherwise back on the phone and keep shouting loudly but politely. I'd even select the option to report yourself dead.....