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Widow, 99, declared dead after she went on holiday
Last updated at 16:07pm on 11.05.07A 99-year-old widow's state pension was cancelled when she went on holiday because it was "assumed" she had died.
Teresa Galvin, who is blind, hard of hearing and registered disabled, visited a son in France for two months earlier this year.
When the grandmother-of-nine returned, she discovered she had not received her state pension and benefits totalling around £1,600.
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Teresa Galvin had her state pension cancelled when she went on holiday because it was 'assumed' she had died
She is now living on hand-outs from her twin sons while she waits for the Department of Work and Pensions to pay the money she is owed.
"I am absolutely shattered by the way I have been treated,' Mrs Galvin said.
"I went to France to see my son and had a lovely holiday but I didn't expect to come back to this.
"I am a widow of an army officer who served in the war, my father also served, yet here I am with no money. It's absolutely disgraceful.
"Both my sons are supporting me but they are retired and living on pensions themselves."
Mrs Galvin was widowed in 1952 when her husband Thomas, a major in the Royal Army Service Corps, died from a brain tumour at Millbank Military Hospital, London.
She now lives in Boxford, near Sudbury in Suffolk, with her son Patrick, whose father-in-law is Sir Conrad Swan, former Garter Principal King of Arms at the Royal College of Arms.
Each week she receives a state pension of £87.30 which is topped up by pension credits to £119.05. Various benefits push the total to almost £200.
It was in February that she travelled to Bordeaux to see her other son, Michael.
"Before I went away I told my local post office I would be abroad and would have to collect my money when I returned," said Mrs Galvin, who will celebrate her 100th birthday in September.
"But when I got back there was no back-pay in my account and I was told I wasn't able to collect my weekly pension either."
Michael Galvin, 68, said: "My mother is hysterical and doesn't know what to do. She is really distressed.
"I can remember her saying how nice it would be to pick up about £1,600, from her eight weeks of pension, when she got back to England.
"But she was told she couldn't collect anything thanks to the assumption that she was dead.
"It is shabby treatment and that is putting it mildly. If it wasn't so serious, this would be a joke."
Patrick Galvin added: "There was no reason to assume she was dead. It must have been an administrative cock-up.
"They shouldn't have allowed this situation because it's been very upsetting for the old girl, although there was certainly no malice involved."
The Department of Work and Pensions said it could not comment on individual cases.
But a spokesman added: "It is important to notify us when there is a change in circumstances.
"Failure to do so may mean a delay in the payment of the state pension."
Reader views (1)
It is quite disgraceful to have allowed this to happen! The department of work and pension obviously "assumed" she was dead without looking into it. You know what happens when you "assume" don't you?
I hope she gets an additional amount for the pain and suffering this has caused her!
- Norma, S.S.F USA
