Acton pensioner found dead after receiving demand notices in error

The son of an Acton man found dead in his flat after an error over benefits by Ealing Council says he is convinced the stress killed him.

James Plumb hadn't heard from his dad Peter,71, on either of their birthdays in October and got police to break in to his small studio flat in Avenue Crescent in Acton.

( Peter Plumb)

James was shocked to find his dad dead and nearby a list containing all the things he was planning to sell, including war medals and other historical memorabilia which he had been collecting all his life.

Peter, a former RAF veteran and Red Cross charity worker, had been under massive pressure after being wrongly informed by Ealing Council that he had to pay back over £6,000 in housing benefit. His benefits had been stopped and the council said HMRC had told them that Mr Plumb, had had a change in income and needed to repay 2 years of housing benefit. James says his father's circumstances had NOT changed and the demand was a huge shock. The grandad-of-one became so stressed, he stopped leaving his flat.

James says: ''  My dad expressed  so much anxiety and worry to me on a weekly basis over a few months. He had written a dispute letter along with what he had received from HMRC, a letter proving his income had not changed.''

Ealing Council has since admitted an error was made and apologised.

A spokesperson said: '' The council received a notification of a change in circumstance for Mr Plumb’s non state pension together with historic earnings details and put in place the appropriate action.  Unfortunately, because it takes time for the changes that we implemented to register back with the DWP, the DWP sent a further notification containing HMRC information which indicated earnings as continuing and at that point an error was made by the council to include earnings for Mr Plumbs creating an overpayment on Mr Plumbs account.

“A letter and invoice was then issued by the council and when Mr Plumb called us with his concerns in September, he was informed that the account would be put on hold and no further action would be taken until the matter was resolved. Sadly Mr Plumb died before we were able to investigate his case.''

James is devastated by his father's premature death which he believes needn't have happened, he said: '' Dad should be enjoying his retirement now but the massive stress he was put under led to this. I'm heartbroken but also furious - this must never happens to anyone else.''

Ealing Liberal Democrat Councillor Gary Malcolm has dealt with a similar case involving an elderly couple in his ward he said:

"It is very worrying when an elderly couple, who have a number of serious medical conditions including a previous heart attack, received a letter stating they owed the Council over £8000. For weeks while the false claim was being investigated the couple suffered a great deal of stress. Eventually the Council admitted they had made mistakes and apologised but how many others are in the same situation?"

A council spokesperson added: '' We have received a complaint from Mr Plumb’s son and will be responding in full direct to him. We are very sorry to hear of the death of Mr Plumb and send our sympathies to his family."

19th December 2017