Woman’s self-inflicted death followed loss of benefit appeal – how will the DWP slither out of this?

Last Updated: February 16, 2017By

The standard DWP excuse when a claimant commits suicide after losing benefits is that there could be many causes and there is nothing to connect the death with the department.

But Ms Roberts died surrounded by letters refusing her the Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and with a “do not resuscitate” note by her side.

It is unreasonable to suggest that the DWP’s treatment of her was not the principle reason she took her own life.

Yet that is exactly what has happened here.

And neither the police nor the coroner service want to get involved. Why?

A disabled woman who lost her disability benefits because of a controversial reassessment process took her own life just two days after being told her appeal had failed.

The body of Susan Margaret Roberts (pictured) was discovered by a care worker at her warden-assisted flat near Tunbridge Wells, Kent, surrounded by letters telling her that she would not be entitled to the government’s new personal independence payment (PIP).

The long-term claimant of disability living allowance (DLA) had also placed a “do not resuscitate” (DNR) note by her side.

There have been many cases involving deaths connected with claims for out-of-work disability benefits and the work capability assessment (WCA) system, but this appears to be the first time a death has been closely linked to someone losing their support in the move from DLA to PIP.

Source: PIP investigation: Woman took her own life two days after learning of failed PIP appeal

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6 Comments

  1. PJB February 16, 2017 at 11:17 pm - Reply

    A very sad time RIP.

    Unfortunately the parasites in government always slither out of everything

  2. Prickly February 17, 2017 at 3:58 am - Reply

    I note the deceased lady lived in a warden-assisted property. Knowing the DWP they will most likely claim this lady had obtained that property under a false claim as she was not really ill.

    Rest in peace Susan.

  3. toocomplex4justice February 17, 2017 at 7:25 am - Reply

    hope the assessor and DM are held accountable for this hate crime.
    if she lived in protected housing she should never have been put through the indignity of discussing personal details with an amateur wannabe doctor who is likely to write a report That fits a required end result. Any other person doing ñanything like this would be liable for fraud charges, but not DWP staff because this is.no democracy. Im genuinely frightened of Brexit because I havqe been selected for death by the DWP and have been fighting them off for four years. I expect the water cannons put an end to public outcry and prison sentences given to anyone complaining about government services..
    Too Extreme? Prison sentences of up to 14 years are to be given to whistleblowers, the people with the moral fibre to inform us of corruption and Ineptitude that effects us all. These are the people who should be placed in high power positions as their character has already been established but they will go to prison while some chinless wonder will get to fuck up a simple task and a chiropodist will get A grand a week for writing reports on medical matters they do not understand that lead to the deaths of people like this poor lady..
    I wonder if she used the jobcentre approved helium tent method to keep the body uncontaminated?
    When is solyent green arriving at the food banks?

  4. jeffrey davies February 17, 2017 at 7:56 am - Reply

    dwp reply will be crocadile tears they now but the great cull must carry on

  5. Dez February 17, 2017 at 4:54 pm - Reply

    For Government assessors read paid for Government assassins. I am getting very frustrated with these other fellow Government employees are apparently joined at the hip with this evil Government in being shy about doing the job they are paid to do without prejudice to the actual truth. They can’t all get on the honours list for services rendered for not doing their job and aiding and abetting injustice. Surely the police and the Coroner cannot just ignore such an obvious connection to this ladies death…..surely these circumstances must be reported and stated as being associated with the untimely passing over otherwise these investigations are either corrupt or totally incompetent and need removing from service asap.

  6. Daniel Margrain February 19, 2017 at 1:35 pm - Reply

    Tory cheque book euthnasia.

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