Grieving widow left without pension

http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news/story.aspx?brand=EDPOnline&category=News&tBrand=EDPOnline&tCategory=news&itemid=NOED16%20Jan%202008%2015%3A41%3A44%3A380

7 January 2008 07:41

An 88-year-old grieving widow has told of her despair after she was left without her full pension for almost three months after her husband's death.

Lily Barnes had to cope with money worries as well as her bereavement through Christmas - an already difficult time for the family - after her payments were stopped by the Pension Service without explanation.

Her children yesterday accused the department of stopping payments to vulnerable people “at a whim” and said the government should “hold its head in shame”.

The former auxiliary nurse cared for her husband, William, through years of ill health and during his final days at their home in Blofield, where he passed away in October. They had been married for 72 years.

Her family immediately contacted the Pensions Service, which inexplicably stopped Mrs Barnes' pension credit and then her £53-a-week state pension.

A lump sum has now been paid in to her bank account, without any notification or apology, and no guarantee that future payments will reach her on time.

FULL story at link.