A MUM "hounded by the NHS" over a £29 bill killed herself with the anti-depressants that caused her to spiral into debt, her devastated family claim.

Penny Oliver owed two bills of £8.60 and £20.60 but these both rocketed with the second one alone soaring to £120.60.

But the 54-year-old couldn't afford the debts after her benefits were cut and she had just a few pounds left in her bank account when she died.

Her family found her dead in her bed in June surrounded by payment demands and threats to take her to court if she didn't pay up, the Sunday Mirror reports.

They now say the NHS and Department for Work and Pensions "have blood on their hands" after Penny received letters from both.

Her daughter Charlotte, 29, told the newspaper: "The irony that she overdosed on
anti-depressants, because she couldn’t afford to pay the prescription charges, is so painful for us as a family.

"This should never happen. Mum was struggling to cope with having her benefits cut when she was already suffering from poor mental health.

"But the very NHS that should have been helping her to deal with her depression instead began hounding her for cash and helped push her over the edge. She ended her life as a result.”

Penny had suffered from anxiety and depression for most of her life and was devastated in 2014 when her son Josh died aged 15 after taking ecstasy.

She could only work part time as a chef because of a back problem and received benefits and free NHS prescriptions and subsidised dental treatment.

But in November last year, the DWP said she was fit to work full time - meaning she would have to pay for her anti-depressants and her Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was withdrawn.

Her family claim she ticked the “free prescription” form believing she was still entitled to the service but she was later sent a letter from the NHS Business Services Authority asking for £8.60.

The final demand was sent after Penny died for £73.10 - including a £43 penalty and £21.50 surcharge.

A second letter in March asked for £20.60 for NHS dental treatment and a £100 penalty charge for non-payment to be settled within 28 days.

Her family also claim after her benefits were axed in January, Penny's council tax support was ceased and housing benefit halved from £121.15 a week to £58.63.

Two months later, she received a letter from the council saying she owed £303.77 in overpaid benefit, while a letter from the DWP sent in February said she owed £109.36.

She was trying to keep her head above water. It saddens me that she spent the end of her life in panic and feeling so out of control that she saw no way out other than death

The department warned her boss could be contacted over the debt or bailiffs called in so the mum agreed to pay £5 a week.

Her family say she was forced to double her working hours from 15 to 30 and gave her border collie Meggie to a pal.

On June 14, Penny took an overdose and left notes for her children. An inquest later ruled her death as suicide after hearing her mental health deteriorated after her benefits were slashed.

Charlotte said: "She was trying to keep her head above water. It saddens me that she spent the end of her life in panic and feeling so out of control that she saw no way out other than death.

"The combination of demands from the NHS, the council and the DWP got too much. I believe if the NHS had helped her rather than piling more pressure on her she would still be here now.”

The DWP said: “We are committed to ensuring people with health conditions get support they’re entitled to.

"Decisions are made following consideration of all information, including medical evidence.

“Claimants have the right to a mandatory reconsideration of any decision and can further appeal to an independent tribunal.

“Ms Oliver was provided with this information and advice on how to apply for other in-work benefits.”

Canterbury City Council encouraged people with concerns to come forward, saying: "The law compels us to notify customers of overpayments and seek recovery where appropriate.

"In Miss Oliver’s case, recovery was by small weekly deductions."

Sun Online has contacted the NHS Business Services Authority for comment.