BLIND FURY
Unable to see, epileptic, diabetic and arthritic – yet Hazel has been told that she is fit for work
BLIND since birth and stricken by a string of disabilities but told she is fit to work – this is the reality of government benefit cuts.
Hazel Macrae, who also suffers from epilepsy, Type 2 Diabetes and osteoarthritis, was claiming Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and was told she’d have to undertake a back to work assessment.
The 62-year-old filled in a questionnaire explaining she’s unable to leave her home without the help of her partner or son because she is afraid of falling, can’t use a pen or pencil, telephone, and would be unable to “move safely” in a workplace.
She was also required to meet with a health professional in Gosforth to undergo a face-to-face assessment where she was asked a series of questions about her daily activities.
Echoing the award-winning Ken Loach film I, Daniel Blake – which was shot in Newcastle – Miss Macrae has been told she has “limited capability for work” and her ESA has been moved from the Support Group to Work Related Activity Group, and reduced by £15 per fortnight.
Miss Macrae, who has artificial eyes, will now have to regularly meet with a work coach to discuss how she can get back into work.
She said: “They think they can support me back into work but I can’t do it.
“There are no jobs that I can do. They have said that I can use my hands and I’m expected to apply for all jobs going.
“They asked me if I can move my hands and I said yes.
“I can’t even make a cup of tea myself because of the boiling water.
“If I used a white stick I would not have the confidence to go out of the house by myself.”
Miss Macrae has lodged an appeal and could face a tribunal – for the second time.
Two years ago the Department for
Work and Pensions said Hazel could go back to work and after losing an appeal was forced to take them to a tribunal, which she later won.
She said: “My health hasn’t got any better since two years ago so I don’t know why this has happened.
“I think I’m going to have to go to a tribunal again and – I’m so stressed out by it.
“It is just so horrible. They don’t even send you the letters in braille my partner has to read them.”
Miss Macrae last worked in her early 20s when she worked in a cardboard box factory in Gateshead.
A letter from Job Centre Plus outlining the decision states: “The claimant will be placed in the work related activity group and will undertake appropriate activities to help them to stay closer to the job market.
“All activity will be customised and appropriate.
“The claimant is fit for work (possibly with reasonable adjustments).
“The claimant’s ESA claim will end and they should look to claim other benefits and/or seek employment.”
A Department of Work and Pensions spokesman said many blind people and those over 60 can be supported back into work with training.
He added: “Decisions for ESA are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.”
The spokesman said everyone is reassessed regardless of previous decisions as their circumstances may have changed.
He added: “Miss Macrae has asked us to look at her case again, and we will be in touch with her with our decision.”