Wed Feb 21, 2018 12:32 pm
Wed Feb 21, 2018 1:36 pm
Jock Strapp wrote:Contrary to popular belief it isn't easy to be awarded Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
Wed Feb 21, 2018 2:39 pm
Wed Feb 21, 2018 4:02 pm
Wed Feb 21, 2018 6:13 pm
Wed Feb 21, 2018 8:55 pm
Thu Feb 22, 2018 1:59 pm
Disabled man tells of benefit change stress after government tried to take away specially adapted car
A disabled bank worker has told of the stress he went through when the government tried to take away his specially adapted car.
The decision would have forced Mark Tibbett to leave his job and go on benefits.,
The 29-year-old has Arthrogryposis Multiplex Congenita (AMC), a condition which affects the joints and caused his hands did not form properly.
He finds it difficult to walk, work or do things independently but was given a specially-adapted car by the Department for Work and Pensions several years ago.
The automatic car, which has lighter steering than a normal vehicle and a specially adapted steering wheel, is a lifeline for Mr Tibbett and essential for him to get around.
Mr Tibbett says his DWP stress started in November last year, when he was told that he would lose his vehicle after being reassessed under the new Personal Independent Payment (PIP) scheme.
“The lady I went to see to do the assessment sent it off to somebody who had no health experience before.
“It was somebody that has never seen me making that decision - she was just reading a few notes.”
Using public transport is almost impossible, as Mark falls over easily and cannot get back up again unaided.
“I would lose everything if I didn’t have my car. I would be housebound, I would be on the dole," he said.
“I could easily sit at home and get paid by the Government, but I don’t want to do that. I wanted to do something with my life."
Mark, originally from Grangetown, went through an appeal process that took two months.
The DWP decided to overturn the decision and Mark will now keep his car.