COUNCIL'S TAX DEMAND SHAME (From Barry And District News)

COUNCIL'S TAX DEMAND SHAME

A GRIEVING Barry widow received a letter from the council saying she had died, and demanding money for overpayment of housing and council tax benefit - just two weeks after her husband's death.

Angela Holmes, aged 58, of Marlborough Close, was still trying to come to terms with losing her husband Sid when the letter landed on her doormat.

It was addressed to The Executors of Angela Dorothy Holmes and demanded 63 for overpayment of housing benefit and 377.84 for overpayment of council tax benefit.

Mrs Holmes said: "It was unbelievable. It was a very strange feeling indeed to be told you're dead."

"I was also very angry because I already had so much to sort out with Sid dying."

"I went straight down to the council offices but when I started to explain what had happened I got really upset."

"A supervisor then came out and told me that they had got me mixed up with my husband."

In addition to all this, Mrs Holmes received a letter from her landlord telling her that the Vale Council had cancelled her housing benefit and that she was in arrears with her rent.

The council has since apologised to Mrs Holmes by means of a letter, and all demands for money cancelled.

The letter, signed on behalf of the director of financing, reads: "After reviewing the file fully, it is clear that the letters which were sent to you on October 20 were sent in error."

"I wish to stress that this was due to human error and the authority regrets that this has caused you distress."

"Please be assured that we make every effort to handle claims accurately and sensitively."

"I am sorry to learn that in this instance an error has occurred and for the resulting repercussions."