A MOTHER of three today slammed benefit bosses for sending her a warning letter saying she was living with her partner - ten months after he died.

Jacqueline Maxwell, 37, was left distraught when a letter arrived saying she was no longer entitled to income support, which she is eligible for as an unemployed single mother, and demanding back her payment book.

The letter gave the reason 'because your partner has returned'.

But Stephen Tededschi, who suffered from mental health problems, died last year after throwing himself from a town centre car park.

Stephen, 35, who lived separately from Jacqueline during their 10-year relationship, died of multiple injuries on September 11.

At an inquest into his death the coroner recorded a verdict that Stephen killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed.

Today the agency apologised for the error and said it was investigating how the letter, warning Jacqueline not to use her book, had occurred.

But Jacqueline, of Thornton Close, Blackburn, said she wanted a written apology and an assurance the situation will not happen again.

She said: "I thought someone was playing a sick joke with me.

"I had to read it three times before it sunk in and I was sick three times after reading it.

"The wounds are still raw and I am not happy that they have sent this out."

After Stephen's death Jacqueline said she attempted to take her own life because she could not deal with the situation and is now on anti-depressants.

The letter, which said, 'I am writing to you because we need you to return your income support book. This is because your partner has returned. Please send your order book back immediately without cashing any more orders', brought the trauma back for Jacqueline.

She said: "It is not a nice thing to admit but I did try to do the same myself after Stephen. Just as I was trying to get over one millstone this has happened."

"I telephoned and they said it was a mistake and are trying to say the letter should have gone to someone else but it has my name and National Insurance number on it.

"They have been negligent and should have checked the details.

"I want a written apology to say it is their mistake. Things like this should be checked so this does not happen to anyone else."

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "The department for work and pensions would like to unreservedly apologise to Miss Maxwell for the distress and anguish that our error has caused her.

"We are currently looking at how this mistake happened and once it has been identified we shall endeavour to ensure that it does not happen again."