A man "terrified" about moving onto Universal Credit died after cutting his own throat.
Robert Fowler, 38, had become increasingly concerned about his finances and was awaiting the outcome of a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) assessment before his death.
Mr Fowler, who had history of mental health illness dating back to 2001 and had been diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia, was deemed by health care professionals to be a 'low risk.'
Receptionist Jill Davey told an inquest that on the day of his death he had arrived for his appointment to be assessed for a new care co-ordinator 25 minutes early and she had asked him to take a seat while she made a call to announce his arrival.
She told in a statement how she did not see him again and then heard a 'strange noise' coming from the public toilet near the reception desk which sounded like 'a male voice in pain'. It was followed by a 'loud commotion' in the toilet.
When entry was gained into the toilet at the at Crediton Hospital in Devon, Mr Fowler was found unresponsive on the floor with a fatal wound to his neck and cuts to his arms at around 12.50pm.
The cause of death was confirmed as being acute severe blood loss due to a sizable wound.
Recalling how Mr Fowler, who had an interest in computers, karate and kickboxing, had acted when he arrived for his appointment, Mrs Davey said: "I do not recall anything odd."
Written evidence was heard from health professionals, including his GP who stated although Mr Fowler had a history of self-harm and suicide attempts, such as cutting his wrist in A&E at the Royal Devon and Exeter Hospital, it was believed his mental health was stable in the months leading up to his death and there was no cause for concern.
His community consultant psychiatrist, who had last seen him in May 2018, also told how he had no concerns about his presentation and that in times of crisis, Mr Fowler would seek help.
His sister Helen Fowler, who kept in regular contact with Mr Fowler, who attended Queen Elizabeth Community College and Exeter College, told in a statement how they had enjoyed a 'standard' upbringing in Crediton.
She recalled he had made his first suicide attempt in his late teens, and how in later years had used headphones to help with the voices he said he heard in his head.
She said: "He was a clever person and was aware the voices were just voices in his head. He relied on the benefits system for a lot and found it difficult to see them disappearing over time.
"I have not found anything finance related that could have triggered him to have killed himself."
She added a month before his death, his friend had killed himself on a train track. The last time she saw him alive was on Halloween.
Miss Fowler said: "He seemed really well and was generally in a good place. He was not wearing his headphones."
She continued: "I had trained myself in the last four to five years to pick up on things but I saw none of those signs leading up to his death."
She added: "I cannot understand it."
Referring to his benefit concerns, especially with the PIP assessment, she said: "He was scared. I helped him with the form and went to his physical assessment with him and he was terrified of the outcome and of universal credit which was also being pushed on him."
Mr Fowler's father Brian, added: "It would be good I think to have brought out of this the fact these proposed changes to benefits impinge so heavily on people like Rob and maybe something can be done to allay their fears?"
Following his death an internal NHS investigation was carried out. The route cause analysis report concluded good practice and areas for learning were identified which are being addressed in an action plan.
It stated it had not been possible to identify the route cause of Mr Fowler's death, but it acknowledged a lack of any recent contact with mental health services which could have noticed a deterioration in his health, so it may have been a contributory factor.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, assistant coroner Alison Longhorn said: "He was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had previously made a number of attempts to take his own life. My conclusion is suicide. I am satisfied he sadly inflicted fatal wounds on himself and it was a deliberate act."
