Yahoo News Lotto winner who blew £80k jackpot in two months desperate to get back on benefits
A man who squandered his £80,000 lottery win in just two months is desperate to return to benefits - but he's hit a snag. Daniel Millar, a disabled grandfather, won the jackpot in September 2017, but claims the windfall turned into a nightmare when his benefits were halted because he "didn't know" he had to declare his winnings.
Daniel, who previously worked in security and suffers from long-term health issues, spent his winnings on a cruise, holidays, home renovations and gifts for family, friends, and neighbours over several weeks.
However, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) found out about his win and stopped his payments and benefits, stating that he no longer qualified for housing benefit, income tax, council tax reduction or any other means-tested handouts. Daniel, whose wife Bridget, 63, is his full-time carer, says he is now living in poverty as he no longer qualifies for income support, housing benefit, a council tax reduction or any other means-tested handouts.
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In 2018, he confessed to the Daily Record that he was unaware of his obligation to inform the DWP and also claimed to be living in poverty. Following the cuts, Millar's pension was reduced to a mere £1.08 per week, with his personal independence payment standing at £350 per month,", reports the Mirror.
He expressed his distress, saying: "It's a nightmare. I don't know what I can do and I don't where to turn to. I didn't know I had to tell the Department for Work and Pensions, so I spent it all by giving it to my two sons and my daughter, paid two family holidays, did up my house and bought clothes for me and my wife.
"By November, all the money was gone. In December, I received a letter from the DWP instructing me to attend an appointment. They then informed me that the tax office had reported me for having £80,000 in my bank. That was true in September but not when I went for the interview. I was £7 overdrawn. Now they have stopped my benefit.
"The only income I have is my personal independence payment of £350 per month and a pension of £1.08 per week. I have to pay full rent and council tax so we have little left to live on. My wife, who is my carer, gets £62 a week. She has to put that aside to pay other bills like gas, electric and phone."
His wife Bridget voiced her frustration, stating that they were "being punished for having a bit of luck", and added: "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. We just don't know what we will do."
