Category Archives: benefits

Carer writes to PM: Carers are being treated like second class citizens

Ex-Nunney woman writes to David Cameron: Carers are being treated like second class citizens

By Somerset Standard  |  Posted: March 20, 2014

 

Bryony Brook, second right, her husband Elliott and daughters Phoebe and Amber with Mayor Belinda Donovan at the launch of the Goaloids sculpture on Shepherds Bush Green

A FORMER Nunney woman has written to Prime Minster David Cameron in disgust at her treatment since her husband died suddenly over Christmas.

Mother-of-two Bryony Brook, who now lives in Bruton, cared for her husband Elliot for six years after he suffered a stroke in 2007 aged just 37.

Mr Brook, an artist and photographer, died suddenly on Christmas Eve 2013 of pancreatitis.

Since then Mrs Brook said she has had no support from the Government after being refused bereavement and widows’ payment, the mobility car she relied on was taken away and all her other benefits stopped.

Sick and disabled made to wait for more than six months to know if they will get benefit

Controversial new benefits system.

People with disabilities and severe illnesses are being made to wait for more than six months to find out if they are eligible for financial support from the Government under a controversial new benefits system.

In a highly critical report, a committee of MPs described delays in processing the Personal Independence Payments (PIPs) as “unacceptable”. They called for ministers to invoke penalty clauses for the delays on the two private companies, Atos Healthcare and Capital Business Services, which provide the assessments.

Widow left to rely on food banks after benefit bosses cut payments

Debbie Hopley’s husband, John, was just 49, when he died from cancer last month

Deborah Hopley from Kirkby holding a picture of her late husband John Hopley.

A widow said she was left reliant on food banks after benefits bosses cut payments and held up funeral bills two days after her husband’s death.

Debbie Hopley’s husband, John, was just 49 when he died on February 11, following a nine-year battle with cancer.

But, in the week between his death and the funeral, Mrs Hopley said she was told the money they and their two children had survived off through his illness was suddenly being stopped.