An 88-year-old Borehamwood resident has not received her pension for nearly a year following a "mistake" by DSS staff.

Winifred Gardiner -- who suffers from dementia -- has been without the state retirement benefit since she moved to Celia Johnson Court residential home in Gregson Close last December.

Her family has been battling with the Government's social security department for months to try and find out why such a mistake has occurred and to get the pension reinstated. But so far their efforts have come to no avail despite numerous letters and phone calls to those in charge.

Now they are at their wits end. Bills for Mrs Gardiner's keep at the home are having to be paid by Barnet Council as the family, who also live in Borehamwood, cannot afford them. And they are having to scrimp and save to find the cash for their mother to see her chiropodist, have her hair done and for toiletries and other essentials which cannot be funded any other way. "I just don't understand why this is happening," said Nina Ryan, Mrs Gardiner's daughter. "She has not been given the pension she is entitled to since she went into the home and it is just not good enough.

"If she was not in the home and was living on her own in the community she would be long dead so I hope there are not other elderly people out there not getting their pension either. We are lucky in that the home is being very understanding and staff have even helped us by speaking to the DSS on our behalf.

"But nothing we do seems to make any difference and I am wondering how long this is going to go on for until they give the pension back."

Head of Celia Johnson, Win Weller, agrees with Mrs Ryan.

She said: "I don't know why it is taking so long for the the DSS to sort it out. She is obviously entitled to the pension but I suppose there could have been complications we are not aware of.

"Mrs Gardiner is not aware there is a problem and is enjoying her life here very much. But it must be very worrying for her family and we are trying to help where we can. Our contract is with Barnet Council and any payment the family cannot make is paid for by them. Of course they will have to pay the council back when her pension comes through so I just hope that something is done about it soon."

A spokeswoman for the DSS said that she was unable to discuss individual cases and so had no explanation as to how such a situation could arise. But she did confirm that there had been a problem and apologised for the trouble it may have caused.

She said: "We apologise to Mrs Gardiner for errors made in her claim. The matter is being resolved and arrears should be paid as soon as possible. We aim to pay the right money to the right person at the right time, but unfortunately mistakes occasionally happen and we apologise.

"In exceptional circumstances the Benefits Agency can make discretionary payments to customers who have suffered financial loss because of an error."

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