An 84-year-old woman, stranded in Cyprus due to illness and with her pension suspended for being overseas too long, is facing legal action for unpaid council tax. Marie Collins, a resident of Narborough, Norfolk, traveled to Cyprus for a brief holiday in September but became too unwell to return home after falling ill with a severe chest infection.
Since early November, Marie has not received her pension as the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) mistakenly believed she had passed away. Additionally, Breckland District Council is pursuing legal action against her for allegedly owing £875 in council tax. Despite being summoned to Norwich Magistrates’ Court, Marie remains stuck in Cyprus without the means to return to the UK.
A representative from Breckland District Council declined to discuss specific cases but emphasized that they reevaluate residents’ tax bills and support eligibility upon learning of changes in circumstances. The Council stressed its responsibility to collect taxes for public funds while highlighting a collaborative approach to resolving payment issues with individuals.
Marie, residing with friends in Cyprus, awaits clarification from the DWP regarding her pension status. Following her chest infection recovery, she suffered a fall leading to ongoing physiotherapy and limited hand functionality, making writing difficult. Despite providing medical evidence confirming her inability to fly, the DWP has not reinstated her pension despite repeated pleas from Marie, her niece, MP Terry Jermy, and the British Consulate in Cyprus.
MP Jermy expressed his commitment to assisting Marie urgently, stating, “My team and I are actively supporting Marie and exploring all avenues to resolve this matter promptly.” Conversely, Marie expressed frustration over the prolonged ordeal, lamenting the detrimental impact on her well-being and criticizing the DWP for its handling of the situation.
The ongoing struggle has taken a toll on Marie’s physical and mental health, with her expressing uncertainty about enduring further hardships. She recounted persistent efforts to contact the DWP via phone, facing extended wait times and disconnections. Despite attempts by her niece to intervene, obstacles arose due to the department’s requirement for power of attorney to discuss the case.
In a bid to address the issue, Marie meticulously prepared and dispatched paperwork via recorded delivery in early January, only to face setbacks when the DWP claimed no knowledge of the submission. At one point, she resorted to using WhatsApp as her sole means of communication after exhausting mobile credit for international calls.
Efforts to obtain a response from the DWP regarding the situation are ongoing.