I HAVE just had to make funeral arrangements for my deceased step mother.

I arranged a simple funeral with just a hearse and a minister to attend, thinking that the Department of Social Security would stand the £8.50 for a taxi, as I didn't fancy following a hearse with just me in the funeral car.

But no, as I live on a bus route, they told me, I could not have any money and that I should catch a bus to the cemetery.

I phoned the funeral parlour and ordered a car to follow the hearse as I am disabled.

The DSS are paying for the funeral and it will not cost them a lot more than if they had let me have a taxi.

Perhaps the DSS thinks this makes sense, but the logic eludes me.

Name and address received

FOOTNOTE: A spokeswoman for the Department of Social Security said: "This gentleman's claim is still being considered. We are making further enquiries before we reach a decision."

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