Boy born with half a heart has disability benefits taken away - on his 8th birthday

[dutchman]

Ben Gamble has undergone five surgeries, been revived twice and needs a heart transplant



A boy born with half a heart had benefits used to help provide him essential 24-hour care taken away on his birthday.

Ben Gamble, who attends Whitley Primary School, was born without a left ventricle meaning his heart only has one pump instead of two - making it difficult for blood to be pumped around his body.

He has undergone five heart operations, has been resuscitated twice, and will need a transplant if he is to reach adulthood.

The youngster, who refers to his chest scars as his ‘zip’, also faces his next operation around Christmas time.

His conditions severely limits his ability to undertake physical activity, such as playing with friends, and he can’t even take on the 500-metre walk to school from his house without having to stop to rest.

Once at school, his ability to concentrate is affected by restricted blood flow to his brain and he struggles to stay there for the whole day.

But government officials at the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) have taken away a large part of his disability allowance after concluding that the fact he can walk 50 metres at a normal pace means his condition is not as severe as previously assessed.

The callous nature of the benefits cut was compounded by the fact the letter arrived on Ben’s birthday and referred to him as “James”.

The decision to withdraw the disability allowance has had a knock on effect on other support payments, including some from Coventry City Council.

Ben’s family now faces a monthly income shortfall of more than £700.

Paul and Jackie Gamble, Ben’s mum and dad, have appealed against the decision and their case will be heard at Coventry Magistrates’ Court on November 15.

Charity ‘Little Hearts Matter’ have written to the DWP in support of Ben and his family.

The four page letter outlines the complications Ben faces in everyday life as a result of his condition which is medically referred to as ‘Double Inlet Left Ventricle with Transposition of the Great Arteries’.

[dutchman]

Boy with half a heart has decision to take away benefits on his birthday overturned



A boy born with half a heart, who had benefits used to provide him with 24-hour care taken away on his birthday, has won a court appeal against the decision.

Ben’s father Paul attended a tribunal at Coventry Magistrates Court on Tuesday where he put his case to a panel with the help of Coventry Law Centre.

The family’s lawyer has now informed them that the appeal has been successful and that they will receive the benefits backdated for the five months they have been stopped.

The DWP could appeal, but the Gamble’s legal team has advised them it is unlikely that will be the case.

It should now be 2020 before Ben’s benefits are reassessed again, according to the family lawyer.

Paul Gamble, who was forced to quit his job as a security guard to care for Ben, said: “I had to give evidence myself and I broke down at one stage when they asked me about the long term impact of Ben’s condition and I had to explain that we could lose him in a few years.”

He added: “Now the decision has been made, I’m just on cloud nine. It’s like ten tonnes of bricks have been taken off my head, it’s such a relief after five months of hell. It has been the worst five months of my life, but now we’re very happy.

“We have even struggled to pay the rent, but we can deal with that now.”

Mr Gamble said: “At first I didn’t want to attract the publicity, but I’m now 100 per cent glad we did.

“I believe this will influence quite a few people in a similar situation and maybe, now we have won our case, they can see some light at the end of the tunnel.

“A lot of people might be scared to appeal, but the tribunal is there for you if you have a just cause.

“I hope our story will bring a lot of people forward to fight their case.

“We have had a lot of people get in touch who are in a similar situation and I know for a fact it has helped raise awareness of issues like this.

“We have also had a lot of supportive comments from people who are understanding, which is fantastic.”

For more information on how you can support people with similar conditions to Ben visit http://www.lhm.org.uk

"The DWP could appeal, but the Gamble’s legal team has advised them it is unlikely that will be the case."

Famous last words, the DWP never admit defeat.

[rebbonk]

This case shows the DWP up for exactly what they are.

Whoever sanctioned this case ought be sacked!