His somber sense of humor helped him deal with the letter. "I can confirm I consulted with him today in person and that he is alive," wrote his GP.
If you have no plans to cash in the insurance money, the news about your death won't appeal to you. For the sane, it is actually downright mortifying to be labeled "dead" by the government when you are walking proof of your existence. For Mark Cusack, it required a note to prove his "livingness." The 48-year-old was quite shaken up when a government letter reached him with the news of his supposed demise, reports Daily Mail. He said he got the "shock of his life." Anyone would.
Cusack is a former Hungerford Town councilor. He claims the fateful letter left him with no National Insurance number and no way to pay his council tax bill. On top of it, he had to forcefully provide a note from his GP to confirm that he was alive. Yes, as if his living self was not proof enough.
The former town councilor has no family and resides in Hungerford, Berkshire, with his pet dog, Puggles. The news of his supposed death reached his former office, and he ended up at the GP's for a note carrying the proof of his being alive.
🔴 A man got a shock when he received a government letter telling him he was dead – and now he needs a doctor’s note to prove he’s alive https://t.co/pi89v4iOGN
— The Telegraph (@Telegraph) February 25, 2023
Though Cusack found a funny angle to all this, it's no small deal when a government declares you dead. Kudos to this man who had a somber sense of humor to find a joke in it. From the government's side, it might have been a "mistake," but for Cusack, it cost him an identity crisis.
Despite the joke, he has still reported this matter to Action Fraud because of his experience with identity theft. Cusack explained: "The current situation may seem farcical, but it has many ramifications."
Dead or alive, such a situation can cause serious consequences. A government-related document carries weight, and proving it wrong requires work. He said, "I really wouldn't want anyone else to be faced with a situation where they're suddenly 'deceased', especially not someone with a health condition or who is in a vulnerable situation. Unfortunately, reversing everything is not as simple as making a phone call or writing a letter."
It all sounds like a scene from a suspense-thriller movie or a TV show. Unreal and well-directed. He reports that he got in touch with his doctor immediately. He narrated the whole situation and, to his surprise, the doctor too had impressive comic timing.
She displayed a playful approach to the whole incident and joked that he should consider cashing in any life insurance he might have. The Hungerford Surgery-headed notepaper read, "I am writing as the above gentleman's General Practitioner. I can confirm I consulted with him today in person and that he is alive."
The seemingly laughable scenario was reported to DWP (Department for Work and Pensions) and its spokesperson refused to comment as a relevant fact-check has to take place before making any statements. Well, we hope Cusack comes back from the dead for the government soon.
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