'It beggars belief' - Shropshire man who lost leg in motorcycle crash has disability benefit and adapted car withdrawn
A north Shropshire resident who lost his leg in a motorcycle crash has had his Personal Independence Payments and specially adapted car withdrawn in what his MP has called a "baffling" decision.
The 25-year-old man, who does not wish to be named, received a letter in August stating that his support would be removed due to a "change in circumstances".
The north Shropshire resident lost three quarters of his leg in a motorcycle accident just before his 20th birthday and relies on a specially adapted vehicle provided through the Motability Scheme, granted as part of the higher-rate mobility component of his Personal Independence Payments (PIP).
PIP is provided to help with extra living costs for people who have a long-term physical or mental health condition or disability that causes difficulty doing certain everyday tasks or getting around.
Speaking in Parliament on Monday (October 27), North Shropshire MP Helen Morgan questioned the decision to withdraw the benefit, saying the man "is clearly not going to get any better".
The man, who works on a dairy farm in north Shropshire, was shocked and saddened to learn that his payments were being stopped.
His father told the Shropshire Star: "He was involved in a motorcycle accident and lost three quarters of his leg. He then rebuilt his life, passed his driving test, Motability gave him an adapted car, and he got himself a job on a dairy job. It was all he had wanted to do.
"He had rebuilt his life, to then receive a letter in August saying that they had reviewed his case and decided that he was no longer entitled to PIP and needed to return his car."
The family said the reason given for the decision was a "change in circumstances," with assessors claiming the man could now walk unaided.
However, his father said this was only possible because of his prosthetic limb, saying the decision "beggars belief".
Lib Dem MP Mrs Morgan raised the case with Minister for Social Security and Disability Sir Stephen Timms in the House of Commons on Monday (October 27).
Speaking afterwards, she said: "I am baffled by the decision to withdraw support from someone who has lost their leg but remains determined to work.
"This appears to be a case of ‘computer says no’ and I hope the minister’s intervention will ensure that common sense is listened to so that my constituent gets the help he needs to continue living independently."
The case is now under review, and in the meantime, the 25-year-old still has access and use of the specially adapted car. However, if the review fails and the PIP is removed, he will have to give the car back.
Sir Stephen Timms, Minister for Social Security and Disability, responded in Parliament: "I would be very happy to look into the particular case the honourable member raises. Of course, an appeal process is available, so I hope that her constituent has submitted an appeal. If she lets me have the details, I will gladly have a look at the case."
The Department for Work and Pensions said there will be a review of the PIP assessment process to ensure it is as "fair" as possible.
A spokesperson for the DWP said: "We are committed to supporting those who need it most, which is why we've announced a ministerial review of the PIP assessment process to make sure it is fit and fair for the future.
"The Review will be co-produced with disabled people and the organisations that represent them, ensuring their views and voices are at the heart of our decision making."