Monday, 27 June 2011

Injured dad angry at benefit blow

A former forklift truck driver who is in “constant pain” and awaiting a leg amputation has been left shocked by the decision to refuse him what he described as a “vital” benefit.

Darren Gilligan, 35, a single dad to 11-year-old twin girls, suffered complications after breaking his ankle at work in 2003. He believes his condition has deteriorated over recent years and says he does not understand why he cannot now get Employment and Support Allowance – he had previously been receiving the now-defunct Incapacity Benefit.

Mr Gilligan, of Baildon, has been informed by a letter from Job Centre Plus that he did not score enough points on a medical assessment which determined whether he would continue to receive the allowance.

He said: “I’m in limbo. I’m in shock, it doesn’t seem fair when I’ve got doctors backing me up.

“It is constant pain. Some days I have quite good days but other days I suffer big time and I can’t do anything.

“My children know when I’m bad and they’ll make a fuss around me – they are so good for that.

“The thing that hurts the most now is I can’t do anything with them.”

Mr Gilligan, who said when he fully recovers he is “determined” to return to work, is appealing against the refusal of the benefit.

His GP practice has issued him with a sick note on the basis he is awaiting an amputation and his doctor has written a letter in support of the appeal.

It reads: “He has chronic pain in his ankle following an injury and operation in 2003. The diagnosis is complex regional pain syndrome (also known as reflex sympathetic dystrophy or algoneurodystrophy.) “Mr Gilligan’s symptoms are severe and prevent him from working.”

A spokesman for the Department of Work and Pensions said: “The Work Capability Assessment has been developed to look at what a person can do, as well as what they cannot.

“Everyone who is found able to work will get the support they need to get a job.

“Anyone who disagrees with a decision on a claim has the right to appeal.”

source: thetelegrapghandargus.co.uk

Amputation Claims

No comments:

Post a Comment