DWP issues apology to disabled woman left struggling to sleep after being wrongly accused of owing £28,000 in overpaid benefits
The DWP admitted it had erred in accusing the duo - and has since reinstated Burns's PIP
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The Department for Work and Pensions has been forced to backtrack into an apology after wrongfully accusing a disabled woman of owing it nearly £30,000.
Michelle Burns, 46, from Peterborough had been claiming personal independence payment (PIP) for six years - but last month, the DWP turned around and told her she would have to return all £28,000 in "overpayments".
Burns, alongside her husband James Jolley - who is blind, and also claims PIP - said the department's reversal left her stressed to the point of having nightmares.
In 2018, she had been given the standard rate of PIP - which accounted for her daily living and mobility issues.
Burns, from Peterborough, had been given the standard rate of PIP in 2018
Post-pandemic reassessment backlogs at the DWP meant the 46-year-old's payments were automatically renewed between 2018 and 2024.
But despite finally managing to secure and pass an assessment appointment earlier this year, the department claimed she "was not entitled to PIP at all in 2018".
Jolley's blindness and Burns's numerous health conditions had left the couple needing to take their reassessment over the phone.
The resulting DWP report seemed "fine", Burns told the Big Issue, but the couple were later asked to provide further evidence.
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Prior to the DWP apology, Burns had been unable to sleep
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Despite receiving PIP as normal in June, a month later, the payment didn't arrive - and when the pair called the DWP to raise their concerns, they were told Burns owed the department over £28,000 for supposed benefit overpayments.
She told the magazine: "They never gave a reason... I couldn't believe it. They said they had sent a letter out to us, but we haven't received it. We haven't received a letter saying we owe that money."
Prior to the DWP apology, she had said: "I'm not sleeping... I wake up and I keep having dreams about being arrested for fraud. They're all nonsense dreams, I know that. But it's the stress. They infect people's lives!"
Jolley had added: "I am very worried that her money won't come back - I am petrified that they will stop our payments, and then we will be in serious trouble."
The department later apologised to the couple - though their statement came too late to assuage the weeks of anxiety both Burns and Jolley had endured.
The DWP admitted it had erred in accusing the duo - and has since reinstated Burns's PIP.
A spokesperson from the department said: "We have apologised to Ms Burns for any distress caused.
"The overpayment has been cancelled, the PIP award reinstated, and arrears will be issued."