Mum distressed by "death" letter

It arrived last week while she was nursing her daughter, Ruby, at home following a difficult pregnancy and early problems with her health.

Claire Overfield, 35, of Dorset Road South, Bexhill, said the letter had upset her even more because in 2002 she and her husband, Zac, also 35 and an engineer, had lost a son, Oliver, aged just 10 weeks.

"He had been born prematurely and sadly didn't survive, " said Mrs Overfield. "To get this letter in response to a request for Disability Living Allowance to help us care for Ruby made me very angry.

"I have spoken to the DWP on the telephone about it, and they have apologised, but said somebody 'must have pushed the wrong button' when sending it out. Do they have a button marked 'Died' on their computers?"

Mrs Overfield said the mistake had been doubly distressing because Ruby's condition meant she suffered heart problems soon after birth, and though expected, it had meant a difficult time for her and her family.

Also the mother of Elize, 17, and Harry, seven, she said: "I just couldn't believe how insensitive this was, and goodness knows how other mothers would have coped on getting something like this."

She and Zac knew from early on in her pregnancy that Ruby would be born with Downs, but went ahead anyway. They want to get benefits on her behalf because she will need special care and support as she grows up.

"What we really didn't need was a letter saying that she was dead," said Mrs Overfield. "It just brought back too many painful memories of Oliver."

A spokeswoman for the Department for Work and Pensions said the matter had been investigated and was due to human error.

She added: "We apologise to Mrs Overfield for any upset this letter has caused. We have now assessed Mrs Overfield's claim in respect of her daughter and that benefit has been allowed."