DENIED DISABILITY BENEFITS AS HE’D WORKED ABROAD

...even though it was for MoD

AMAN left paralysed was refused disability benefit because he’d lived abroad - even though he was working for the government while he was over there.

Mike Plumb, 56, was diagnosed with Guillain-Barre syndrome, which left him unable to move his arms or legs.

Before that he’d worked for five years at the Military Court Centre Sennelager, Germany, for the Ministry of Defence (MOD).

But when he came to apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) on his return to Anglesey, he was told he wasn’t eligible – because he’d worked abroad for more than 12 months.

Mr Plumb, who returned to live in Star with his wife and daughter in February, said: “When I called to request a claim form I explained that I had been living away for five years working for the MOD but was still paying UK tax and national insurance and I was told this wouldn’t cause any problems.

“On October 13 I received a letter saying my application was unsuccessful because I’d been living overseas, even though I was still contributing to the UK economy and was living at British Forces postal address.

“I called them back to complain and the person on the phone told me I was entitled to claim so my application was resubmitted.

“That was six weeks ago and they’ve made no effort to contact me since, so I called them two weeks ago and was told that they’re still in the process of making a decision on whether I can make a PIP claim.

“It doesn’t seem like they really know what is going on.”

The father of one says he is now “very concerned” because his income is due to drop by half within the next four weeks.

The Department for Work and Pensions said: “We have been in contact with Mr Plumb to apologise and discuss his claim, which we are looking at again.”

Amelia Shaw