A DISABLED Birmingham pensioner in her 80s is celebrating after pocketing an astonishing £60,000 in unclaimed benefits.

The money was handed over by the Government after it emerged the woman failed to claim the state pension she was entitled to after her husband died ten years ago.

The mix-up emerged following a routine Birmingham City Council check to make sure old people claimed all the benefits they were entitled to.

When officials visited the woman, who not named but lives in the north of the city, they were astonished to discover she had no pension at all.

She did not realise, either, that she could claim Attendance Allowance – a benefit which helps people cope with disabilities.

The council’s Benefit Advice Team launched an immediate investigation, which resulted in £60,000 being paid into the woman’s bank account.