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We're axing your pension: you're dead
A healthy Preston great-grandad was left stunned after officials declared him dead and axed his state pension.
When Michael Hughes questioned why his payments had stopped, an official visited his Blackpool Road home to tell his wife Bridget the 75-year-old was dead despite him being alive and well and inside the flat.
The Pension Service has since apologised after Mr Hughes confirmed his identity.
But bosses offered only a "paltry" 50 in compensation.
The month of missed payments has been reimbursed, and the state pension and pension credits have been reinstated.
Preston MP Mark Hendrick has now referred the case to the Parliamentary and Health Service ombudsman Ann Abraham to investigate.
Former Territorial Army officer Mr Hughes describes himself as "fit and healthy", despite suffering from type 2 diabetes. The former HGV driver said: "I was in the flat and had to explain that I was still alive.
"The official told my wife I had died on January 26 and they stopped my pension.
"When I told my doctor, he said they shouldn't have done anything without a death certificate. It is wrong.
"I'm really upset and my wife cries thinking about it. I want to find out where this came from."
Mr Hughes, who has 28 great-grandchildren, wants more compensation for the distress caused by the whole experience and has contacted Mr Hendrick for help.
Mr Hendrick said: "I think it is outrageous and it will be interesting to see what the ombudsman comes up with.
"To have someone come and tell you you are dead beggars belief. The payment is paltry – it should be three or four figures.
"I want the ombudsman to find in his favour and recommend a much larger payment to compensate for the distress."
The Pension Service has written to Mr Hughes saying: "This letter is to formally apologise on behalf of The Pension Service for the problems you have experienced with both your state pension and pension credit claims being closed as a result of a date being entered incorrectly.
"I agree this is not the standards of service that our customers are entitled to expect from The Pension Service."
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We are unable to comment on individual cases.
"The Pension Disability and Carers Service administers benefits to around 15m customers.
"Occasionally mistakes are made due to human or technical error. If we do make a mistake, then as in this case, we always issue an apology and do our utmost to put it right."
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Weather for Preston
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 18 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Light sleet
Temperature: 3 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
