Cancer survivor hits out after his benefits are cut

Cancer survivor hits out after his benefits are cut

2 December 2015

A KILLYLEAGH man who has battled cancer three times has had some of his benefits axed after he failed to keep an appointment with Social Security Agency staff.

David Trainer (29), who takes a daily cocktail of drugs, including morphine and anti-depressants, had his Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) funding withdrawn recently after being informed that he had missed a meeting with staff to discuss his welfare benefits.

Mr Trainer — who is confined to a wheelchair — put the missed appointment down to an “oversight,” explaining the medication he takes leaves him drowsy at times. He also revealed he had no idea he missed the recent appointment until informed that his ESA benefits would be stopping because he failed to show up.

He has been told his funding will not be reinstated until the outcome of an appeal he has lodged is known.

“I explained to Social Security Agency staff that I must have missed my appointment as a result of the medication I am taking. In addition to making me drowsy and confused, the medication makes me forgetful at times,” explained Mr Trainer.

“Missing the appointment was an oversight on my behalf, but my benefits have been stopped just weeks before Christmas. What annoys me is that Social Security Agency staff know my situation. They know the medication I am taking and that I am confined to a wheelchair, yet my ESA money has been stopped.”

Mr Trainer said his frustration has been compounded by the fact he has been asked to “sign on” to look for work and prove to the Social Security Agency that he is taking active steps to secure a job until the ESA appeal is heard.

“Both my GP and surgeon have advised me not to work, but yet the Social Security Agency is insisting that I must look for a job. I am in a wheelchair and on medication, how am I supposed to sign on to look for work?

“There are people who abuse the benefits system and who are penalised for doing so. All I did was miss one appointment and my welfare support money was axed. I now have to make my way to the Downpatrick Jobmarket at Rathkeltair House to look for work. I am in a wheelchair and not a well man but am expected to go through this process,” he declared.

Mr Trainer also revealed that when he expressed concern that his benefits had been cut he was given a £12 emergency loan, suggesting the money “would just about turn his electricity on.”

He added: “One month before Christmas and look at the situation I find myself in. I admit that I screwed up by missing my ESA appointment, but I did not do it deliberately. Social Security Agency staff see me all the time and know my situation. I did not intentionally miss this appointment, but am being punished for doing so.”

A spokesperson for the Department of Social Development, which is in charge of the Social Security Agency, said while the organisation is unable to comment on individual cases, it has arranged for a benefit uptake adviser to contact Mr Trainer to offer assistance.