Disabled grandfather says winning lottery ruined his life
Most of us can only dream of winning the lottery, but for Daniel Millar, that dream not only came true, it turned into a nightmare.
Millar, a 63-year-old grandfather with long-term health problems from Motherwell, Scotland, won a life-changing £80,000 ($142,000) in September, but by November it was all gone, and a month later, his welfare payments from the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) pulled his benefits.
You see, Millar failed to inform the DWP about his windfall, which he spent on a cruise, two holidays, new clothes, home improvements and gifts for his family.
When the department learnt of his newfound wealth, they stopped his benefits. Now, Millar no longer qualifies for income support, housing benefit or council tax reductions.
“It’s a nightmare,” he told The Sun. “I don’t know what I can do and I don’t where to turn to.
“In December, I got a letter from the DWP saying I had to go to an appointment. They then told me I had been reported by the tax office for having £80,000 ($142,000) in my bank. That was true in September but not when I went for the interview. I was £7 ($12) overdrawn.”
Millar now has to survive on a personal independence payment £350 ($623) per month and a pension of £1.08 ($1.92) per week, while his wife and carer Bridget, 62, gets just £62 ($110) every week. They also now have to pay full rent and council tax.
“There are people winning millions of pounds and we just get a bit of luck and all of a sudden, we are punished for it,” Bridget said.
“We helped our neighbour and friends out with some cash. We gave it to our family and have nothing left. We paid for three family holidays – a cruise and two big trips to Benidorm. We got the kitchen and hall decorated and the bathroom and living room are to be done. There is nothing left.
“The DWP have said we aren’t entitled to any money. They say that we have deprived ourselves of capital and don’t qualify for the benefits.”
Tell us in the comments below, can you sympathise with the Millars? Or should Daniel have told the DWP about his lottery wins?