Unconscious woman found with benefits letter on pillow

FATHER TELLS INQUEST OF ‘TRAUMA’ OVER REVIEW OF HER PAYMENTS

A LETTER regarding a benefits claim was found next to a Nottingham mum who took a fatal overdose at her home, an inquest heard.

Nottingham Coroner’s Court heard that Philippa Day, 27, was found unconscious with a letter from Capita about a PIP assessment next to her.

Philippa Day, 27, who lived in Pendle Crescent, Mapperley, had taken an overdose in August 2019 found unconscious. Her family said she was in a coma until she passed away on October 15 of the same year.

The inquest was also told her father Charles Day found notes on her laptop while she was in hospital after the overdose, with one directed at her mental health nurse which read “thanks Tessa for trying”.

Assistant Coroner for Nottinghamshire Gordon Clow is overseeing the inquest into the death of Philippa, known as Pip.

Her family has claimed Miss Day’s £228 weekly money was reduced to £60 after she applied for Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

The inquest heard that she applied for PIP payments towards the end of November 2018.

But Miss Day, who had agoraphobia, felt she “couldn’t cope” with leaving the house to go to the appointment which was offered to her.

Mr Day said the appointment would’ve been incredibly difficult to attend as Miss Day could not drive and found it difficult to get up early due to her anti-psychotic medication.

The court heard that the letter stated if she didn’t attend the appointment without good reason, the DWP could refuse her claim.

Mr Day said: “That would have devastated her. She would have been angry and frightened, she would have been in turmoil. This was very much the sort of thing she would not be able to cope with.”

On August 7, Mr Day said he rang his daughter and told her that the appointment would have to go ahead, and that he and Tessa Rand would be there to assist her.

He said: “I know she was incredibly upset about that. I think that was the final straw.”

He said he rang her again that evening but Miss Day did not wish to talk so they arranged to speak the next afternoon.

Mr Day said: “The following afternoon I rang her and I could not get a response. We made the decision to go over and that’s when we found her.”

When asked by the coroner about how Philippa was found, Mr Day said: “She had insulin pens, she had a letter from Capita with regard to the meeting, she had the laptop and the phone.”

He said the Capita letter about the appointment was found on her pillow.

A DWP spokesperson said: “Our condolences are with Miss Day’s family. As the inquest process is ongoing it would be inappropriate to comment at this time.”

A Capita spokesperson, the DWP’S PIP assessment provider, said: “We extend our deepest condolences to Philippa Day’s family over her tragic death and we will continue to cooperate fully with this inquiry.”

The inquest continues.