Part-paralysed man in benefits fight
A BIRMINGHAM demolition man who was in a coma for a month and left semi-paralysed by a rare brain condition is struggling to support his family after being denied sickness benefits.
Daniel Slattery, of Wood End Road, Erdington, was maintaining two jobs as a self-employed demolition man by day and doorman at Subside bar, in Birmingham city centre, by night when the illness to his central nervous system took hold.
As the 25-year-old slipped into a coma in March, doctors at City Hospital told his girlfriend Mellissa Young and her four-year-old son Jayden that Daniel would probably die.
Against the odds, Daniel shocked medics by waking up but was partly paralysed for weeks and had to learn how to walk, talk and even use the toilet because of virus meningoencephalomyelitis.
But now anxious Daniel is sorting out how to survive after his application for incapacity benefit was turned down by the Department for Work and Pensions.
“My National Insurance bill arrived while I was in a coma in hospital so it wasn’t paid and because of that, I was told I was not eligible for incapacity benefit,” said Daniel.
“I paid the outstanding bill for £274 straight away but I have been told there is a technical issue with the system still saying my claim is live and they cannot change the situation right now.
“But because the benefit claim was denied, it had the knock-on effect of stopping my girlfriend Mellissa’s childcare allowance, which allowed her son to be cared for while she is at work as a claims processor.
“I now have to care for him even though I am not well enough to look after myself. I haven’t been able to go to rehab for months because we rely on Mellissa’s wage.”
Daniel, who was bringing in more than £25,000 a year from his two jobs, said he had been forced to sell his computer, television, PlayStation and even swap clothes for money to buy food and pay the rent.
His consultant neurologist Steve Sturman even appealed to Government officials, writing a letter saying his patient had a “serious and devastating illness”.
A spokeswoman from the Department of Work and Pensions said: “Incapacity benefit is payable to people who satisfy a number of conditions, including National Insurance contributions paid in relevant tax years.
“While we cannot comment in detail on individual cases, we can confirm Jobcentre Plus staff are now in touch with Mr Slattery.”
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