The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has rectified a significant mistake that left a man battling dementia without critical financial support for over a year. After an investigation by The Times consumer champion, the department has backdated payments, amounting to £8,826, providing much-needed relief for the family.
Despite numerous attempts to resolve the issue, the father’s claims for Attendance Allowance were delayed due to a misrecording by the local authority. The error led to a prolonged period of hardship, which was only rectified after the case was highlighted by the media.
Unanswered Calls, Missed Payments
The issue began in 2021, when the father, who had been diagnosed with dementia, was admitted to hospital before eventually moving into care. He had been entitled to claim Attendance Allowance, a benefit designed to help those with physical or mental disabilities manage the costs of their care. According to the child of the man, the family submitted the necessary paperwork promptly, but the payments never materialised.
In an emotional letter to The Times, the daughter explained the distress the family had endured. “The problem is that my father has not had a penny. He is owed nearly £9,000, while his savings are dwindling rapidly.” she wrote. Despite repeated attempts to contact the DWP, including phone calls, emails, and letters, the family received no response. As a result, they felt trapped in a cycle of frustration with no resolution in sight.
DWP’s Response and Resolution
The DWP eventually acknowledged the error, blaming the local authority for inaccurately recording the man’s information. In a statement, a DWP spokesperson confirmed that they had processed the claim within four days of receiving the correct details. The department also issued an apology to the man and his daughter for the delay and inconvenience caused.
The DWP eventually acknowledged the error, attributing the delay to the local authority’s misrecording of the man’s details. According to the department, the claim was processed within days once the correct information was received, and they issued an apology for the oversight. The total amount of £8,826 has now been paid back to the family, covering payments that were owed since 2021.
The father is also now receiving monthly payments of £441, ensuring that his care costs are met going forward. However, the family had to wait over a year and a half before receiving the support they were entitled to.
