A MAN who died in April is still receiving benefits after a

blunder by the

Benefits Agency.

Jacqueline Payton is angry her late husband has received more than £800 in the seven months since he died.

She says it is scandalous when there are other

people who badly need the money and she has reported the over-payment to the Benefits Agency in a bid to get the money stopped.

Owen Payton died on April 20 after being diagnosed with cancer and

suffering a heart attack. He was 72 and had been ill for about 12 years.

Mrs Payton, 57, of Riley Road, Brighton, was an executor to his will and sent copies of the death certificate to the Benefits Agency in May.

She said: "I've been in touch with the benefits

people to tell them what has happened but the money is still coming in.

"I think it's absolutely terrible, there are people who really, really need help and can't get a penny, but they've been paying a man who hasn't been here since April.

"At this rate he's going to be the richest dead man on earth."

Mr Payton's account now contains £856.01 and his widow is concerned about Visa withdrawals of £20 which are being made every week. He was in a little bit of debt so maybe he arranged for the withdrawals, but the bank won't tell me anything about it and they say I can't prove I was his wife.

"Obviously I haven't touched the money because it isn't mine, but it's just getting ridiculous."

"They said they had lost the death certificate I sent them but why should I send them another?"

She said she had tried to close down his bank account by sending a copy of the death certificate but was informed this had been lost.

A spokesman for the Benefits Agency said: "I'm very sorry for any distress to Mrs Payton and we will be investigating how this occurred."

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