Andrew Halliday, a 41-year-old Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) claimant, tragically took his own life after his Universal Credit payment was drastically reduced to just £37.50. The significant cut, which the DWP attributed to back pay from a previous employer, intensified his fears of homelessness and financial instability.
Mr. Halliday struggled with ongoing mental health issues, including anxiety and depression, which had forced him to leave his telecommunications job. In the days before his death, he repeatedly raised concerns with NHS professionals and DWP staff about his sharply reduced Universal Credit payment for January 2025.
At an inquest held in the North East, assistant coroner Paul Dunn confirmed the cause of death as suicide. He noted that Mr. Halliday had explicitly linked the deterioration of his mental health to the benefit reduction, stating that the payment cut was a key trigger.
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Mr. Halliday had attempted multiple times to clarify why his January Universal Credit was so low. The DWP explained that the reduction was because he had received back pay from a previous employer in October 2024. This back pay was taken into account during the January assessment period when HMRC notified the DWP.
Despite using the back pay to clear debts, Mr. Halliday found himself with little left for rent or bills. He reached out to the Universal Credit helpline expressing desperation and fear of becoming homeless, poignantly asking, “Can I get any support or am I going to end up offing myself?”
Mr. Halliday had a known history of severe mental health challenges and had recently been treated by the psychiatric liaison team and at St George’s Hospital. There was also concern about a possible underlying bipolar disorder.
Assistant Coroner Dunn summarized: “The trigger on this occasion was a reduction in his Universal Credit and fear of homelessness.” The official conclusion of the inquest was suicide.
Responding to the case, a DWP spokesperson extended condolences to Mr. Halliday’s family and friends. They emphasized that the Universal Credit system is designed to ensure claimants receive the correct entitlement and that the department strives to prevent such tragic outcomes.