A VULNERABLE mum took her own life after her benefits were cut due to a DWP error.
Tamara Jade Logan, a make-up artist from Glossop, Derbyshire, was found on May 18 last year.
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans for free on 116123.
It came after she had received a letter from the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) which revealed that the ‘enhanced daily living allowance’ portion of her Personal Independence Payment (PIP) had been removed.
It was a decision which an inquest heard was “incorrect”.
She was taken to hospital but died two days later at Tameside General Hospital.
The inquest into her death found the impact of the DWP decision on Jade was “very significant”.
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In a prevention of future deaths report published by senior south Manchester coroner Alison Mutch, she 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 said Tamara was a “vulnerable person with a history of self-harm and suicidal ideation” and had been previously assessed as being eligible for PIP including the enhanced daily living allowance and the standard rate of mobility allowance.
The DWP was aware of her mental health problems as her file at the government department noted previous self-harm and suicidal ideation, said the coroner.
“In 2025 her entitlement to PIP was reassessed and the enhanced daily living allowance was removed from her. She was notified by letter,” said the coroner.
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 “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.
You’re Not Alone
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide
It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.
And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
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