Terry Walker's family insulted again

11:42am Saturday 28th July 2007

Comments (7)   Have your say »

HEARTLESS bureaucrats have sent a "cruel" letter to the grieving family of the late Gulf War veteran Terry Walker demanding a refund of his last pension payment - after an administrative blunder.

When Mr Walker died following a failed heart transplant operation last month, his two children were left with nothing after both his war pension and army pension were stopped dead.

Now his devastated family, of Wheldrake, has been dealt yet another blow.

His father has been asked to refund the Veterans Agency for money that was overpaid into Terry's account after his death.

Terry's father, Ted Walker, said: "They have asked me to send them a cheque for £243.88. I can't believe that they can be so heartless.

"It's so wrong that they have stopped the pension in the first place, but now to write to me asking for a refund because they made an administrative mistake is unbelievable.

"It's the final straw for us and my wife is absolutely distraught. It's so cruel."

Terry, who was 48 when he died, had been granted a 100 per cent war pension in 1998. He had suffered swollen joints and legs, blinding headaches, rashes and aches, as well as post traumatic stress disorder.

But shortly before last Christmas, the payments were cut to only 40 per cent of what they had been and, following his death, the war pension was stopped altogether and his army pension was stopped on the grounds he was divorced.

The Press is campaigning to make both his army pension and war pension transferable, so his children, Stefan and Kirsty Walker, aged 17 and 12, receive some benefit, and for his full 100 per cent war pension to be reinstated.

Ted said: "It's damned disgusting how they are playing us around and this latest letter is a disgrace.

"We have got so many problems at the moment with trying to claim child tax and child benefits, and this is the last thing we need.

"We're pensioners and it isn't easy suddenly having two children to support when there's no money coming in. It is a real struggle.

"It's red tape all the way and it makes me so angry."

A Ministry of Defence spokesman said he was unable to discuss individual cases, but apologised if any upset had been caused to the family.

He said: "Payment of War Disablement Pension is usually made one week in advance so that people are always fully up to date with their entitlement.

"Unfortunately, when a war pensioner dies, this can sometimes lead to an overpayment.

"After an appropriate time, if there are financial matters to resolve, contact is made with the family explaining the position and, in the case of an overpayment, requesting payment from the estate.

"Throughout, support and advice from our helpline service and a local welfare manager is always available."