The UK Government should allow more than 100,000 disabled and ill people to claim compensation after a "blunder" saw their benefits mistakenly cut, an ombudsman has warned.
At least 118,000 people with disabilities and health conditions had their payments wrongly cut when they were moved onto Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) from other benefits, according to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman (PHSO).
The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has since corrected the error and paid arrears totalling £613 million, however, the PHSO said people affected are "facing injustice" and should be able to claim compensation in recognition of the error and its "potentially devastating impact" on their lives.
One of those who was underpaid is 62-year-old Ms U, who was left unable to heat the home she lives in alone and buy food.Her hair fell out, she lost weight and her mental and physical health deteriorated, according to a PHSO investigation.
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