A coroner has warned the DWP to change its benefits decision process
A mother with a history of mental health difficulties took her own life after being notified by post that her benefits were being cut.
Tamara Jade Logan took her life after receiving a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) stating that the ‘enhanced daily living allowance’ component of her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) had been removed, a decision which an inquest heard was ‘incorrect’.
The mother, a makeup artist from Glossop in Derbyshire, was found hanging on May 18, last year. She was transported to hospital but died two days later at Tameside General Hospital.
An inquest into her death determined the impact of the DWP decision on Tamara was ‘very significant’, reports the Manchester Evening News.
In a prevention of future deaths report issued by senior south Manchester coroner Alison Mutch, she stated: “The decision to remove the enhanced payment has been accepted as an incorrect determination. The method used for communication of the decision was also not appropriate given her known vulnerabilities.
“Upon receipt of the letter from Department of Work and Pensions Tamara Jade Logan’s mental health deteriorated further. On 18th May 2025 she was found suspended and taken to Tameside General Hospital where she died on 20th May 2025.
“On the balance of probabilities, the incorrect decision to withdraw her enhanced daily living allowance and the method of communication of the decision significantly contributed to her declining mental health and her actions on 18th May 2025 which led to her death on 20th May 2025.”
Coroner Ms Mutch described Tamara as a ‘vulnerable person with a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation’, who had previously been assessed as eligible for PIP, including the enhanced daily living allowance and the standard rate of mobility allowance.
The DWP was aware of her mental health difficulties, as her file at the government department documented previous self-harm and suicidal thoughts, the coroner stated.
“In 2025 her entitlement to PIP was reassessed and the enhanced daily living allowance was removed from her. She was notified by letter,” the coroner said.
Under ‘matters of concern’, Ms Mutch wrote: “It was accepted that the assessment of her entitlement to benefits had been incorrectly determined despite it having been checked before the final decision was made. The impact of that on her was very significant.
“The evidence before the inquest was that the person carrying out the initial assessment carried out the assessment correctly and that the checking process had not picked up on the errors. The purpose of the check was to avoid these errors being made and it was unclear why it had not picked up the incorrect approach.
“It was clear from the evidence that her vulnerabilities were recognised by the Department of Work and Pensions and their paperwork was flagged to that effect. Despite that a standard letter was sent with no attempt to reduce the risk that receipt of the letter would cause.”
The coroner recorded a verdict of suicide, with the medical cause of death given as ‘hypoxic brain injury’ resulting from ‘hanging’. The report has been submitted to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who has until March 19 to respond.
A DWP spokesperson said: “Our sincere condolences go to Ms Logan’s family and friends. Protecting the millions of people we support every year is a priority. We take the Coroner’s comments extremely seriously and will provide a full and detailed response.”
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