Dead pensioners sent DWP letters saying they've lost £300 Winter Fuel Payment

Dead pensioners have been sent letters to say they’ve lost the winter fuel allowance from the Department for Work and Pensions ( DWP ). The DWP has been accused of SPAMMING grieving relatives in an update over the £300 Winter Fuel Allowance.

Frances Coppola, a writer and journalist, said that she had received a letter about changes to the winter fuel payment from the DWP intended for her partner, who died on September 18. She had already told the DWP about his death.

When Ms Coppola called to complain, she was told the department was “sending the letters to everyone who had ever made a claim, including people who had died”. She said: “So thousands of bereaved spouses, partners and relatives are receiving these letters... DWP is ignoring official notifications of death and literally spamming the relatives of deceased (winter fuel payment) claimants.”

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Tom Selby, director of public policy at investment firm AJ Bell, said: “Taking a blanket approach risks creating extra admin stress for people at what will inevitably already be a really painful time.” He added: “It isn’t the first time the DWP’s admin systems have been found wanting and they need to get their house in order as a matter of urgency.”

A DWP spokesman said: “We are looking into what happened in this case and apologise for any distress caused. Over one million pensioners will still receive the winter fuel payment, and our drive to boost pension credit take up has already seen a 152pc increase in claims.

“Many others will also benefit from the £150 warm home discount to help with energy bills over winter while our extension of the household support fund will help with the cost of food, heating and bills. We are committed to ensuring pensioners are aware of the changes to the winter fuel payment and are issuing letters to around 13.5 million pensioners. In this case, the letter was likely in post whilst the recipient passed away. We apologise for any distress caused.”