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A woman whose disabled mum took a fatal overdose hours after learning that her benefits appeal had been rejected has accused the Tories of having blood on their hands.

Susan Roberts, 68, was found dead at home, metres from a heartbreaking 11-page letter she had written to benefits chiefs detailing her suffering.

Hitting out at the Government’s cruel cuts, daughter Hayley Storrow, 47, said: “I just want Theresa May to know that her rules and regime are killing the most vulnerable people in society.

“With the election coming up it is so vital that things change. I feel any vote for the Tories is going to lead to more deaths.”

Susan, a grandmother of eight who had survived four heart attacks, died £4,000 in debt.

Before taking a fatal dose of morphine, she placed DWP paperwork turning her down for the Personal Independence Payment, a Do Not Resuscitate note and her unsent letter on her dresser.

(Image: Philip Coburn)

(Image: Philip Coburn)

She began her letter by writing: “Dear sirs, first of all, I request that you read this through carefully – this is my life after all.”

Hayley said: “When my brother went to mum’s flat after she died, he found 37p in her purse. Even with DLA she was living day to day, scraping by. She was found dead with the PIP refusal letter placed strategically on a dresser.

“She was a poorly woman and this ­decision tipped her over the edge – she was in a desperate situation. I feel if it wasn’t for PIP and the Tory Government, my mum would still be alive.

"They failed her like they have failed thousands.”

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Mum-of-three Susan previously qualified for Disability Living Allowance.

She had a stent fitted after her heart attacks and spent most of her time bedbound due to ME.

An operation to remove part of her bowel meant she needed help to go to the toilet. She also needed help showering and shopping, as she struggled to walk. But in late 2015, the Tories scrapped DLA and replaced it with PIP. Anyone 65 or older on April 8, 2013 still got DLA.

(Image: Philip Coburn)

Susan, 65 on April 13, had to reapply for PIP.

Hayley said: “It’s so sad. If she was born a week earlier she may have still been alive today.”

Susan was shocked to find she did not even qualify for the lower PIP award.

Her assessor ruled she could wash and bathe unaided, go to the loo and walk over 200 metres.

Susan wrote the 11-page letter criticising the decision but as the DWP turned down her initial appeal within six days, she did not have time to send it.

She started by saying: “I am in a considerable state of depression after receiving your decision about my claim for PIP.”

Describing her health, she said: “My gall bladder needs to be removed because of multiple stones, weight loss, vomiting, excruciating pain – but specialists won’t operate because of my heart condition.”

(Image: Philip Coburn)

She then describes the impact of ME, saying she has two or three hours a day when she is able to do tasks.

Susan, of Tunbridge Wells, Kent, adds that she would be “virtually housebound” without her Motability vehicle and signs off: “Thank you for reading this, with the greatest respect.”

She had to give up her Motability car last April and texted Hayley, of Watford, Herts, to say: “I’m never going to be able to see you again because they are taking the car.”

Susan asked for a review of the decision after her first appeal.

But on May 18 last year, a letter arrived at her warden-assisted flat to tell her she had lost.

She was found dead the next morning and despite the papers on the dresser, a coroner said in October she had not taken her own life as there was no suicide note, ruling it was a “drugs-related death”.

(Image: Philip Coburn)

But Hayley said: “I believe her unsent letter was her suicide note.”

Thursday is be the first anniversary of Susan’s death and she wants the PM to prevent more tragedies.

She said: “People are living in poverty or considering suicide because of these benefits changes. My Mum won’t be the last to die.”

A DWP spokeswoman said: “Our thoughts are with Mrs Roberts’ family but there is no evidence to suggest any link between her death and her benefit claim.”