More inhumane treatment by DWP

Reposted from local newspapers

Two more stories here from local newspapers about the inhumane treatment and incompetence by DWP

HOUSE BOUND: Pamela Johnson, of Ferryhill, who has been told that she is fit for work.

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1) A WOMAN left on crutches by a leg operation has complained that she has no money as Jobcentre staff say she is fit to work.

Pamela Johnson, 56, of Broomside, in Ferryhill, underwent an operation last October which left her unable to carry on working in a fish and chip shop.

Miss Johnson began claimed benefits and said that Jobcentre bosses have now told her to sign on at Spennymoor to claim £57 Jobseekers’ Allowance each fortnight.

She is also angry that the staff in Spennymoor Jobcentre deemed her to be fit to work.

She said: “I had a medical and the Department for Works and Pensions (DWP) said that my money would stop from June 16 as I am capable of work.

“I now have to go every fortnight to sign on or I get no money. If it’s raining though I can’t go out on my crutches as it’s slippery.

“I’m not married and I have no other wage coming in to help me. I’m going to be on crutches for the rest of my life.”

A DWP spokesman said that clients could ask for the decision to be reconsidered or an appeal could be lodged.

She said: “If we are made aware, in advance, of a legitimate reason why someone cannot attend an appointment we can look to rearrange it for a more suitable time.

“A decision on whether someone is well enough to work is taken following a thorough assessment and after consideration of all the supporting medical evidence provided by the claimant.”

Iraq war veteran James Squires with his mum Louise.

 

• by Sam Jackson

2)An Iraq war veteran has enough to cope with since leaving the Army suffering from post traumatic distress syndrome.

But James Squires was also having to live on just £300 a month because the Department of Work and Pensions was refusing to pay his Employment Support Allowance.

His mother Louise, who is James’ appointee, sent in all the evidence she was requested to give but was told her son couldn’t have the £2,500 in a holding account.

And neither could he have the £77 a week he was entitled to in the future.

Louise, of Shiregreen, said: “James was receiving Job Seekers Allowance but was told to change this to Employment Support Allowance.

“He hasn’t been paid since October.

“I rang them and they said they have £2,500 in a holding account, but without a letter they couldn’t pay October to January’s money.

“I sent them all the details they asked for and they wouldn’t even pay January to May’s money. They just will not sort it out. They are not accepting the evidence.

“He has been treated abysmally. He is living on £300 a month disability allowance and has a mortgage to pay.

“He has fought for his Queen and country and he is just trying to get the money he is entitled to.”

 

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Within several days of The Star contacting the DWP, James received £1,149 into his bank account to cover January to May payments.

Louise said: “Thank you, it’s brilliant. We really appreciate your help.

“They told me that letters would be fine to send it, but now I’ll be sorting out medical certificates for the other periods so James will get all the money he is entitled to.”