A man with bipolar disorder and clinical depression committed suicide after he was deemed fit for work.
Stephen Carre from Bedfordshire took his own life after the Department for Work and Pensions rejected his appeal.
During his inquest, the coroner said that the idea of being forced to look for a job despite his extreme vulnerability prompted him to kill himself.
An investigation has discovered that Stephen’s death wasn’t an isolated incident.
The Department of Work and Pensions carried out 144 internal reviews with cases involving people claiming support who committed suicide or came to serious harm.
The probe found there was an ‘allegation’ or ‘suggestion’ that the department’s actions had a negative impact on every person.
Internal reviews seen by the BBC Shared Data Unit suggest wrong decisions were continually being made.
While the department refused to identify the individuals subject to reviews, the BBC has named 82 people.
According to reports, mental health vulnerabilities contributed to 35 deaths, with many had starved to death while others involving suicide.
Four Prevention to Future Death reports have been issued by coroners to the DWP in relation to benefit claimants.
Therese Coffey, the secretary of State for Work and Pensions, says the department “does not have a duty of care or statutory safeguarding duty.”
However, Tessa Gregory, a human rights lawyer, argued that there is a ‘dissonance’ between the legalities and DWP’s role, saying the ‘case for reform is clear.’
Speaking to Metro, she said: “When DWP decision making goes wrong it can, as we have seen in far too many cases, have devastating and sometimes fatal consequences.”
A spokesperson for DWP told the newspaper that the department’s priority is getting benefits to millions of people per year while ensuring they receive ‘a supportive and compassionate service.’
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