Terminally ill Northampton woman has appeal over disability benefits refused

A terminally ill cancer patient who was refused a disability benefit by the Government has had her appeal turned down though her GP provided a lengthy description of her illness.

Jane Windle, from Parkwood Street, St James, was first diagnosed with a carcinoid form of cancer in 2001 and has tumours in her lungs and pelvis.

But last month it was revealed the 52-year-old would not be entitled to receive the Personal Independent Payment (PIP) even though she has been receiving the Disability Living Allowance, which PIP is phasing out, since she got ill.

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Mrs Windle has a stent fitted and has difficulty, breathing, moving and even struggles to stand up unaided.

The couple appealed the decision at the start of April and supplied the Department for Work and Pensions with a DS1500 form from her GP explaining the extent her cancer affects her, listing a range of other debilitating conditions including Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease.

But they have now learned their appeal has been refused.

Mrs Windle says the decision has left the couple desperate.

She said: “It is so stressful.

“Now that money has stopped it is just crazy.

“We just think, how are we going to manage?

“I will have to get rid of all sorts of things - my phone will have to go, there is no way I can afford that.”

Mrs Windle and husband William have met with Northampton South MP David Mackintosh, to see if he can get their assessment overturned.

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They are also looking to take the DWP to a tribunal to contest the decision - a process that can take months.

Mrs Windle says there is no way she can go out and find work.

“I just can’t,” she said. “I can go to sleep for two to three days at a time.”

“What if I am at work for a couple of hours and need to sleep? What are they going to do, roll out a bed?

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Mr and Mrs Windle can apply for Jobseekers’ Allowance, but that would mean both would actively need to seek employment, even though Mrs Windle has regular doctors’ appointments and needs her husband for assistance.

Mr Windle said he will not stop fighting the decision.

“Jane’s assessment simply isn’t true.

“If these assessors were working in a hospital we would be looking at a complete misdiagnosis.”

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