Elderly British Woman Trapped in Cyprus Faces Legal Action Over Council Tax
An 84-year-old woman from Norfolk, stranded in Cyprus since September after falling ill during a holiday, is now facing prosecution from her local council for unpaid council tax, following the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) suspending her pension payments. Marie Collins, from Narborough, flew to Cyprus for a two-week break but developed a severe chest infection that left her medically unfit to fly home, as confirmed by doctors.
Pension Payments Halted and Council Tax Debt Accumulates
Marie has not received any pension payments since early November, with the DWP reportedly assuming she had died. Concurrently, Breckland District Council is pursuing her for £875 in outstanding council tax, leading to a court summons at Norwich Magistrates’ Court. Despite the legal proceedings, Marie remains in Cyprus, financially stranded and unable to attend the hearing due to lack of funds for travel.
Medical Evidence and Communication Failures
Doctors provided letters and specialist medical evidence stating Marie was not fit to fly, which were sent to the DWP. However, her pension remains suspended despite interventions from her niece, South West Norfolk MP Terry Jermy, and the British Consulate in Cyprus. Marie described spending "weeks and weeks" on hold during phone calls to the DWP, often being cut off, and faced further obstacles when her niece was denied information without power of attorney.
Impact on Health and Ongoing Struggles
The situation has severely affected Marie's physical and mental health. After recovering from the chest infection, she suffered a fall, requiring physiotherapy and leaving her with limited hand function, impairing her ability to write. She expressed despair, stating, "I don’t know how much longer I can live going on like this," and criticized the DWP for making excuses and leaving her without financial support for five months.
Council's Stance and Lack of Resolution
A spokesperson for Breckland District Council declined to comment on individual cases but noted that changes in a resident's circumstances trigger a reassessment of council tax bills and eligibility for support. They emphasized their responsibility to collect council tax and pursue missed payments, while claiming a collaborative approach with individuals. Meanwhile, MP Terry Jermy is actively supporting Marie as a "matter of priority," but no resolution has been reached, with Marie's paperwork sent by recorded delivery in January reportedly lost by the DWP.
The DWP has been contacted for comment, but Marie continues to rely on friends for accommodation in Cyprus, with her only means of communication at times being WhatsApp due to depleted mobile credit, highlighting the dire circumstances of this prolonged ordeal.
