Disabled mum who ‘took own life’ when her benefits were cut ‘left note saying she was unable to pay bills or buy food’
A DISABLED mum took her own life when her benefits were slashed after she was unable to buy food or pay her bills, an inquest heard.
Jodey Whiting, 42, was discovered dead in her flat in Stockton-on-Tees in February 2017 by her family members.
An initial inquest recorded a verdict of suicide but did not consider the impact of the Department for Work and Pensions‘ (DWP) cutting her benefits.
Jodey had been asked to attend a work capability assessment before her death but was unable to attend after falling ill with pneumonia.
As a result, the mum-of-nine’s payments were stopped and she later received a letter saying she was fit to work.
In notes Jodey had written, which were found after her death, she spoke about not being able to pay her bills and having no food.
Bridget Dolan KC, coroner’s counsel, also said the mum revealed she “had enough”.
He added: “In some she wrote about feeling breathless and having back pain and trying to pay her bills and being in debt.”
An Independent Case Examiner (ICE) report into the decision found that a number of mistakes had been made and her payments should not have been withdrawn.
A second inquest into her death is now being held after Jodey’s mum Joy Dove fought for a further hearing.
The court was told Jodey suffered from chronic pain, was dependent on opiates and had long-standing mental issues.
In the final years of her life, she had become increasingly housebound.
In December 2016, Jodey stayed in hospital after contracting pneumonia, which meant she missed letters about her benefits that said she needed to be medically assessed.
Joy told the court she reassured her daughter they would write to the DWP and explain how she had been in unwell.
But in January 2017, Jodey was told she had missed the medical assessment and was fit to work.
Joy claimed by this point, Jodey could not breathe or walk out of her flat.
She then received another letter from the DWP telling her that her benefits were being stopped, including her housing benefit and council tax.
Joy said when she saw her daughter, two days before her death, she was “shaking and crying” and had threatened to kill herself.
You're Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,www.headstogether.org.uk
- HUMEN www.wearehumen.org
- Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans,www.samaritans.org, 116 123
The mum told the inquest the stress of losing her benefits was the trigger for her to decide to take her own life.
She added: “I know my daughter and I know it was (that).
“It was the fact she couldn’t find a job, the worry of paying bills and being pushed out after being so vulnerable all those years and years.”
Questioned by Jesse Nicholls, for the family, Joy added: “I know for a fact it was the DWP that caused it.
“She was quite happy for me to go through and look after her.
“There’s no way it was anything other than that.”
The inquest continues.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.