DWP responds after mum takes her personal life when PIP allowance was wrongly reduce
Tamara Jade Logan died by suicide in May 2025 after being told her PIP daily living allowance was being removed – a decision an inquest found was incorrect
Tamara Jade Logan who took her own life after she learned her benefits were being cut(Image: Handout)
The Department for Work and Pensions has responded following the tragic suicide of a mother who was told her benefits were being cut. Tamara Jade Logan took her own life after receiving a letter from the DWP stating that the ‘enhanced daily living allowance’ part of her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) had been withdrawn – a decision which an inquest later deemed as ‘incorrect’.
Tamara, who had a history of mental health issues, was discovered hanged on May 18, 2025. The makeup artist from Glossop was rushed to hospital but sadly passed away two days later at Tameside General Hospital, reports the Manchester Evening News.
An inquest into her death concluded that the impact of the DWP’s decision on her was ‘very significant’. In response to the findings of the inquest, which stated that the decision to reduce her PIP payments was ‘incorrect’ and that the method of communication was ‘not appropriate given her known vulnerabilities’, the DWP issued a statement.
It was found that upon receiving the letter from the DWP, Tamara’s mental health further deteriorated. A spokesperson for the DWP 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.”
The response follows the prevention of future deaths report published by senior south Manchester coroner Alison Mutch, who wrote: “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 qualifying for PIP including the enhanced daily living allowance and the standard rate of mobility allowance.
The DWP was aware of her mental health issues as her file at the government department documented previous self-harm and suicidal ideation, the coroner stated.
She added: “In 2025 her entitlement to PIP was reassessed and the enhanced daily living allowance was removed from her. She was notified by letter.”
Under ‘matters of concern’, Ms Mutch documented: “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 delivered a suicide verdict, with the medical cause of death listed as ‘hypoxic brain injury’ resulting from ‘hanging’. The report has been forwarded to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, who must respond by March 19.
The DWP emphasised in its statement that protecting its customers remains at the heart of how it delivers its services.
The Government department claims it has already unified its safeguarding strategy by establishing a Multi-Disciplinary Team to ensure vulnerable individuals receive appropriate support throughout their benefit journey, including: The DWP has stated that it has initiated The Timms Review – co-produced with disabled individuals and their representative organisations – to ensure PIP is suitable and fair for the future.
Samaritans (116 123) samaritans.org provides a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you’d rather write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re concerned about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at [email protected], write to Freepost SAMARITANS LETTERS (no further information required) and visit www. samaritans.org/branches to locate your nearest branch.
