Elderly Woman Trapped in Cyprus as DWP Errors and Council Tax Dispute Escalate
An 84-year-old woman from Norfolk finds herself stranded in Cyprus, cut off from her pension and threatened with legal action over council tax payments, in a distressing case of bureaucratic failure. Marie Collins, a resident of Narborough, Norfolk, traveled to Cyprus for a two-week holiday in September, only to be left in limbo after a severe chest infection prevented her from flying home.
Pension Payments Halted Due to Mistaken Death Declaration
Since early November, Marie has not received any pension payments. The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) suspended her benefits under the erroneous belief that she had died. This suspension has left her financially destitute in a foreign country, relying on the hospitality of friends to survive.
Compounding her woes, Breckland District Council is pursuing her through the courts for an alleged £875 in unpaid council tax. Marie vehemently disputes this claim, arguing that her age and disability should exempt her from such payments under existing regulations.
Health Crises and Legal Battles Intensify the Ordeal
After recovering from the chest infection, Marie suffered a fall that required physiotherapy. She now has limited use of her hand and reports "no pressure" in her fingers, severely impairing her ability to write. Medical professionals provided letters confirming she was unfit to fly, and this evidence was submitted to the DWP, yet her pension remains frozen.
Marie was scheduled to appear at Norwich Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, but she remains in Cyprus, unable to afford the journey home. "If I am ineligible to pay, how come they are demanding council tax from me?" she questioned, highlighting the absurdity of her situation.
Frustrating Communication Breakdowns with Authorities
Efforts to resolve the issue have been met with bureaucratic obstacles. Marie, her niece, South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy, and the British Consulate in Cyprus have all repeatedly contacted the DWP, but to no avail. Mr. Jermy stated, "My team and I are actively supporting Marie and have been pursuing every possible way of getting this situation resolved for her as a matter of priority."
Marie described spending "weeks and weeks" on hold with DWP offices, often being disconnected after hours of waiting. At one point, she ran out of mobile credit, leaving WhatsApp as her sole means of communication. Her niece attempted to intervene, but the DWP refused to discuss the case without power of attorney. Despite sending the required paperwork by recorded delivery in early January—confirmed as received—the department claims no record of it.
Impact on Physical and Mental Well-Being
The prolonged struggle has taken a severe toll on Marie’s health. "I don’t know how much longer I can live going on like this," she lamented, expressing despair over the physical and mental strain. The DWP’s assumption of her death has not only financial implications but also profound emotional consequences.
A spokesperson for Breckland District Council declined to comment on individual cases but noted, "We have a responsibility to collect council tax from all our residents and to pursue any missed payments on behalf of the public purse. However, we always take a collaborative approach with individuals and work with them to understand their individual situation."
As Marie awaits clarity from the DWP, her case underscores broader issues in government support systems for vulnerable citizens abroad. The DWP has been contacted for further comment, but the resolution remains elusive, leaving an elderly woman in a precarious and unjust predicament.
