Benefits axe mum-of-nine killed herself

A Mother-of-nine took her own life because her £150-a-week benefits had been stopped, an inquest heard. Jodey Whiting, 42, did not attend a work capability assessment after missing a letter for her appointment because she was in hospital. Plagued by ill health, including a brain cyst, she wrote suicide notes to her children, aged 17 to 25, and her mother. Jodey, of Stockton-on- Tees, Co Durham, said she could not live without her benefits from the Department of Work and Pensions. A DWP spokeswoman said: “Jobcentre Plus is investigating a complaint from the family and will respond shortly.” Verdict of Teesside inquest: Suicide.