A letter from years ago could hold the key to a £100,000 payout.

It means bereaved families can still pursue cases of underpaid state pensions despite the DWP deleting pre-2021 records, it has been revealed.

The government department has confirmed it will reopen cases where families can provide "relevant proof" of underpayment. Those who manage to find old DWP letters or showing pension payment amounts could receive significant payouts - and risk missing out on thousands if they fail to act.

work and pensions spokesman Steve Darling said: "It's deeply troubling that families are being told the DWP can't check because records have supposedly been deleted.

"Bereaved families deserve transparency and a fair chance to ensure their relatives received what they were entitled to." He added that it is "a step forward" that the DWP has agreed to consider claims based on documentation provided by the family, such as original letters or bank statements.

A DWP spokesperson says: "We always encourage next of kin and representatives of deceased customers to contact us if they have relevant proof such as historic letters from the department so we may be able to review the customer's award."

Many elderly women have reportedly died while being underpaid, according to This is Money and former pensions minister Sir Steve Webb.

Has a relative of yours been underpaid the state pension? Get in touch contact samantha.downes@reachplc.com