Pensioner hits £60k benefit jackpot

A widowed pensioner in Birmingham is finally pocketing £60,000 in previously unclaimed benefits.

The woman, in her 80s, did not claim the state pension and other benefits she was entitled to after her husband died a decade ago due to an administrative error.

Officials on routine visits to check pensioners are claiming all their entitlements found she had received no benefits whatsoever, including the disability benefits she is entitled to.

As a result, the unnamed woman received £60,000 in backdated payments, the Daily Mail reports.

The Birmingham City Council Benefits Advice Team helped people claim an extra £9m in benefits in 2010.