A WOMAN has accused benefits officials of reducing her to tears and lacking compassion in a row over the payment of hundreds of pounds in debts run up by her dead father.

Pauline Veevers says Department of Social Security officials told her she was responsible for an overpayment of benefits, totalling about £600, more than a year after the death of 65-year-old Ronald Farran in May 1996.

Since then she claims to have endured a catalogue of upsetting dealings with the Government agency regarding the matter, including threats of court and bailiff action and lost cheques. And she says she was forced to give officials her father's cemetery plot number number after they could not trace details of her father's case, and asked for his current details. "I always thought that if a person died, the debts died with them, but apparently this is not the case with the DSS," said Mrs Veevers, of Marsham Grove, Darwen. "I've had no choice but to deal with my father's affairs because he didn't make a will, didn't leave much money and I'm the closest living relative. I did everything I could to sort out what he owed and sent his benefit payment book the day he died, yet it was 15 months before the DSS landed me with the bombshell."

Mr Farran moved into Highfield House, Darwen, after being released from hospital following a horrific car crash in 1996. Mrs Veevers added: "Because he was a very proud man, he didn't want me to be involved with his finances. The home was dealing with his benefits so I had no idea what was being claimed for. I still don't know what I am paying for because the DSS have refused to give me a proper explanation. As far as they are concerned the money is owed and I have to find it."

Reluctantly, Mrs Veevers, who works part time as an administration assistant, eventually agreed to pay monthly instalments in to clear the overpayment but has decided to take action following the latest in a series of alleged non-payments. "A few months after I started paying I got a letter saying the money was unallocated and asking for my father's current details. I had to ring with his plot number at the cemetery and I was crying as I made the call. I've got to the end of my tether and plan to stop paying and take legal action if I get accused of being in arrears one more time.

"The whole thing is making me ill and has been a constant reminder of my grief and loss. There has been a total lack of compassion or regard. All they have shown is incompetence."

A spokesman for the Benefits Agency, which works on behalf of the DSS, said: "We cannot comment on individual cases. However we can say that liability for overpayment can only be made against an estate, not an individual.

"There is a three-tier complaint procedure that Mrs Veevers can make use of. Our new GL22 leaflet, 'Tell us about your comments and complaints', is available from any benefits office. This will be referred to the relevant customer service manager who will carry out an investigation and present findings to the complainant.

"If she is still not satisfied the matter can be dealt with by an independent panel. Alternatively she could go straight to her local MP who can take it to the ombudsman who looks at matters of malpractice."

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