Amputee’s anger over benefits wrangle

DECISION . . . Leslie Ross has been told he must find work

AN amputee who faces losing more of his leg has been told he must work.

Leslie Ross of Failsworth had his benefits cut in May. The Department for Work and Pensions has now declared he is fully fit to hold down a job.

Mr Ross was born with a club foot, but six years ago had the foot renoved. He had to quit his seven-year stint as a hospital cleaner because of numbness in his leg and an inability to work using crutches.

The DWP stopped his claim for Employment and Support Allowance and named him 100 per cent able to work.

But Mr Ross says he took part in a medical test about movement in his arms and neck — not his legs.

He appealed the decision and two tribunals, in Preston and Liverpool, had to be heard in his absence as he couldn’t afford to attend. The tribunals asked for more medical reports and he sent a letter from his consultant saying he might need a further amputation, to remove the leg up to the knee.

Despite this, Mr Ross’s benefit was cut, leaving him to apply for an emergency loan. He has now been told to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance.

“I haven’t been sleeping,” he said. “I’m in pain most of the time. I would work, but I would have to be sitting down all day and I’m not comfortable in an office as I have no experience.

“I was told I needed to send more medical reports from my doctor. That’s what I did. They sent me a letter to say they had received the information. Now they’re saying I didn’t need to as they had already made a decision.”

A spokeswoman for the DWP said: “We are committed to helping people move from benefits and into work if they are capable, while giving unconditional support to those who need it.

“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. Everyone has the right to appeal a decision if they disagree with it.”