New leg leads to a £400 benefit cut for bike accident victim
A one-legged man has been told he no longer qualifies for a disability allowance because he uses a false leg for a couple of hours a day.
Tony Robson, of Queen's Road, lost a 400 monthly stipend and a specially-adapted car in November after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) reassessed his benefits.
Father of three Tony, who lost his right leg in a speedway accident two-and-a-half years ago, described the impact on his life: "This is a terrible loss. We have had to ask family and friends to borrow money.
"I'm genuinely disabled and will be for the rest of my life. Whether I've got a false leg or not my life has changed dramatically.
"I need to plan when I go to the toilet because I have to take the leg off. It takes me twice as long to walk up the stairs. I can't play games with my little five-year-old girl. I can't walk down hills because walking back up again will be too difficult. Everything that you do without thinking I have to think about doing.
"I was always an active sort of person but now I can't ever walk the dog."
Doctors instructed Tony, 30, to wear his false leg for just two or three hours a day to prevent painful sores. The rest of the time he relies on crutches or does not move.
Despite this, the DWP have said they do not consider him to have walking difficulties.
A spokesperson said: "Disability Living Allowance is awarded on the basis of a customer's need for help with personal care or on the extent of their walking difficulties.
"Customers can appeal a decision if they feel it was wrong or their circumstances change."
Tony is currently working through his second appeal, after the first, lodged in December, was rejected.
He added: "It's not like my legs are going to grow back overnight. I've got three children and a wife and a mortgage and it's not like I can go out and get a job on a building site."
Jacky Everard, director of the Hastings Advice and Representation Centre, said: "If he came to us we would look at his overall health and ability to look after himself.
"Interpretation of the guidelines is always the thing. Having one leg would not in itself mean he's entitled to DLA, but I would be saying to him, let's look at the criteria of being virtually unable to walk.
"For his whole allowance to be taken away I find it quite surprising."
Have you had an experience with Disability Living Allowance? Is it fair that Tony's benefits have been cut? Leave your comments below.
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Monday 28 May 2012
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