A grieving son had his benefits taken away for missing an appointment because his mother had died.

Single father-of-two Kevin Humphrey was dismayed when he was told he wouldn't be getting his money because he didn't go to a meeting at the JobCentre due to his bereavement.

The 47-year-old from Tavistock Down, Brighton, said he received a letter giving him just a few hours notice of the appointment and because he had to make urgent arrangements following his mother Virginia's death on May 9, he couldn't get to the officers in time.

But the member of staff at the JobCentre in Worthing told him it made no difference and his £130 fortnightly Jobseeker's Allowance payment would be cancelled.

Mr Humphrey said: “I had been looking after my mum for many months after an operation went wrong. It was very stressful and sad when she eventually died there was a lot to do.

“Getting a letter in the morning to say I needed to be at the JobCentre in a few hours was ridiculous. I just couldn't make it.

“I am really struggling and losing this money will mean I can't get any flowers for her funeral or buy a suit to wear which is very upsetting.”

Tony Greenstein, secretary of Brighton & Hove TUC Unemployed Workers Centre, and Brighton Pavilion MP Caroline Lucas both contacted the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) to urge officials to reverse the decision.

But it was only after The Argus raised the issue with the DWP that staff changed their mind and agreed Mr Humphrey had been unfairly treated.

Mr Greenstein said: “To most normal people this would count as both an exceptional and harrowing circumstance. But not to this benefit agency worker in Worthing.”

A DWP spokesman said that bereavement was a valid reason for missing an appointment and that Mr Humphrey would have his benefits reinstated.