Sponsored by
Kidney swap man ‘denied benefits’ EXCLUSIVE
Michael Stillwell.
A kidney transplant patient says he is facing bankruptcy after being denied benefits.
Michael Stillwell was told he could not claim while undergoing dialysis before his kidney swap.
Six months later, he is still not receiving regular Employment and Support Allowance.
The 24-year-old says he cannot afford his next prescription for vital anti-rejection medication.
“I have got to take medication for the kidney so it is not rejected, I am running out and I don’t have the money to pay for it,” he said.
Michael, from Robin Hood, Leeds, was playing professional rugby for Hunslet Hawks when he first became unwell three years ago. He was diagnosed with kidney problems and in 2010 he started dialysis treatment at St James’s Hospital three times a week.
The electrician was also trying to work but finding it increasingly difficult because of his failing health. He sought advice about benefits - which he never claimed before - but said he was told he was not eligible.
As his financial situation worsened, Michael’s house in nearby Thorpe and his car were repossessed and he moved back in with his parents David and Carol in Robin Hood.
In August last year Michael underwent a kidney transplant at St James’s, with an organ donated by his younger brother Lewis, now 19.
The surgery went smoothly but afterwards complications meant he was in hospital almost continuously until December. At the end of last year he had another serious operation and doctors have told him he needs three months off work to recover.
But he has still not been able to arrange a benefits claim. He received payments for a few weeks but these have now been stopped because the Department for Work and Pensions says it has not received a medical form.
Michael and his family insist they returned this because another form in the same envelope has been received, while the DWP has also had information from many of his doctors.
“It means I am going to have to go back to work, which is risking the kidney, and I can’t lift anything,” he said.
He is looking to declare himself bankrupt as he is also being chased by the creditors over his previous debts.
Ironically his youngest brother Lewis, a plasterer - who lost his job after having time off to donate his kidney but is now recovered - is able to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance.
Their dad David added: “I thank my lucky stars that Michael has me and his mum around. If it had been somebody with no family, you can understand how they end up living in shop doorways.
“I have worked all my life and wonder what I’ve been paying for.”
A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said Mr Stillwell’s claim could not be progressed because they had not received the medical questionnaire.
However Michael is adamant he has returned everything he was asked for.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Leeds
Saturday 26 May 2012
Today
Sunny
Temperature: 8 C to 21 C
Wind Speed: 17 mph
Wind direction: East
Tomorrow
Sunny
Temperature: 9 C to 22 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: East
Comments
There are 10 comments to this article
Page 1 of 1
vesselofthedevil
Sunday, February 12, 2012 at 07:18 PMThe Welfare Reform Bill currently going through the House of Lords will result in even more human tragedy. If you think things are bad now, wait until the welfare reform bill becomes law. There is a government figure of 0.5% on fraud which is used to justify the targetting of the sick and disabled "frauds". Make a fuss, you will never know how much you needed this until the unthinkable happens and you are in desperate need and just like the NHS it has been lost. let members of the House of Lords know of your concerns
witchwoman
Wednesday, February 8, 2012 at 01:11 PMsheddy2 its about time more people go running to the news papers just to let others know what people are up against
weallplaytheblamegame
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 04:56 PMI have to agree with tothepoint5, I had the same issue when my husband first became ill, sending sick notes in and letters from doctors and hospitals, waiting weeks for a replay so you ring them and they tell you they have not received any thing from you, worst thing is all the the Government agency's do it. Take all forms to a one stop centre and get a receipt no matter what.
vesselofthedevil
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:58 PMThe benefits agency appears to have lost its way and become political. A lot of Jobcentre+ staff don't understand the rules until you point it out to them. If you are ill, you simply don't have the energy to be able to do this. I would advise anyone in need to get an advisor, either from the local council benefits advice section or the CAB..That is their job and I will always thank EveryPoundCounts for their support. I had later stage MS and needed every bit of knowledge they had to get through the ESA nightmare. I say this also because if you have a serious illness, the last thing you need is the worry of the "medical" and then the appeal tribunal because, for me, the stress of this experience has made my condition worse. (pp)MS is not fatal, but secondary complications can be, and therefore sick people need the authorities to take this fact into account. MS is so horrible I think it's capable of making you want to die, at times. The last thing you need is this struggle. If you google pat's petition, they are asking government for a pause in welfare legislation to enable charities to discuss the details and effects of this legislation in a calm way.
OzTyke
Tuesday, February 7, 2012 at 01:48 AMThe Social are trying to put anyone off benefits that they can, it's scandalous that this young man hasn't been believed and is made to feel like he's doing something wrong, rather than being unfortunate enough to get a life-threatening condition. Simple phone calls to St James' and to Michael's GP would have cleared the matter up. Full marks to young Lewis, donating a kidney, and no marks at all to his former employer.
vesselofthedevil
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 08:09 PMI have seen reports that this questionnaire form goes to the firm doing the medicals and that post to this firm is being opened by the post office and re-directed. Thus deadlines are missed. This is because the firm running medical examinations cannot cope with the amount of mail caused by the migration of people moving from IB to ESA. So if you are keen to keep your medical details private and unviewed by strangers, it would be best to hand deliver confidential personal material.
june rose
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 02:24 PMThis should have been sorted ages ago and from reading about this can not see why he was denied, he must be at breaking point with worrying wondering where his next penny is coming from and the housing dept should have had more sympathy. Hope this gets sorted quickly for him as he is one of the genuine ones in dire need, he did right to go to the media to highlight his case otherwise he wouldn't have got nowhere without it. Look North would have aired his case too if he got in touch with them.
Liam123
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:43 PMGive the guy a break, I am sure he had other things on his mind rather than chasing up the benefits office to see if they had received forms he sent back. It looks like a pretty genuine case to me, and could easily be sorted out. The time and effort taken contacting the YEP, by both parties, would have been better used sorting out his claim.
sheddy2
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 01:27 PMWhy don't you try ringing the benefis agency? They could have told you they hadn't received your paperwork. Insead you go running to a newspaper.
tothepoint5
Monday, February 6, 2012 at 12:08 PMI work in a benefits office and would say this - Never ever ever rely on documents to be sent through the post - even when using recorded delivery as things can and do go missing. Take everything in person (or have someone do this on your behalf and always always always get a receipt to say what you have provided).
Page 1 of 1
Your view
Please sign in to be able to comment on this story.