DWP’s incorrect determination over mum’s PIP profit entitlement led to tragic penalties
Glossop make-up artist, Tamara Jade Logan took her own life after an incorrect DWP decision to cut her benefits significantly contributed to her declining mental health
Jade Logan took her own life(Image: Handout)
A mum with a history of mental health issues tragically ended her own life after receiving a letter stating that her benefits were being reduced. Tamara Jade Logan, a makeup artist from Glossop, took her own life after the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) informed her that the ‘enhanced daily living allowance’ part of her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) was being withdrawn, a decision an inquest later deemed as ‘incorrect’.
The mum was discovered hanged on May 18 last year and was rushed to hospital, but sadly passed away two days later at Tameside General Hospital. An inquest into her death concluded that the DWP’s decision had a ‘very significant’ impact on Jade.
In a report aimed at preventing future deaths, senior south Manchester coroner Alison Mutch 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.”
She added: “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.”, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Coroner Ms Mutch described Tamara as a ‘vulnerable person with a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation’, who had previously been deemed eligible for PIP including the enhanced daily living allowance and the standard rate of mobility allowance.
The DWP was fully aware of her mental health struggles as her file at the government department documented previous self-harm and suicidal thoughts, the coroner explained.
“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 stated.
Under ‘matters of concern’, Ms Mutch noted: “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 ‘hypoxic brain injury’ caused by ‘hanging’. The report has been sent to the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions who has until March 19 to respond.
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