Cancer sufferer left to live without electricity or gas

10:30am Tuesday 7th August 2012 in News By Katie Clark

APPEAL: Susan Sheppard, centre, with her twin children Millie and Charlie. Picture: Corin Messer APPEAL: Susan Sheppard, centre, with her twin children Millie and Charlie. Picture: Corin Messer

A CHRISTCHURCH woman suffering the effects of intensive cancer treatment was forced to live without electricity and gas after her benefits were stopped.

Susan Sheppard, 46, was diagnosed with cancer last year and has since undergone rounds of chemotherapy and radiotherapy as well as two major surgeries, all of which have left her immune system weak and unable to fight infection.

As well as the treatments, Susan is dealing with the after effects of bowel surgery and is using crutches while doctors try to diagnose ongoing problems with her hip.

The ESA – Employment Support Agency – have now stopped her benefit money after she missed an appointment at the job centre.

She said: “I wasn’t given any reason as to why it was stopped. I was due to go for two appointments but I was in and out of hospital so I missed the second rearranged appointment.

“Soon after, the money stopped.

“I explained on the phone afterwards and was told by a lady not to worry because she understood the circumstances.

“I’m appealing it obviously but at the moment, after I’ve paid for car insurance, which I have to have, and for my phone, which is obviously essential, I’m left with £23 for me and my two children.

“For two weeks we were without food and electricity and gas. We’ve got some today thanks to the food bank at Purewell .

“We’re really grateful for the help but it’s embarrassing and we don’t want to be charity cases.

“I’m on morphine and other pain killers and I can barely move.

“I’m not a scrounger and if they were to see me, they would realise that.”

Susan said she sent doctor’s notes to the Job Centre to outline her situation but had not realised they would need a covering letter as well.

A spokesperson for the Department of Work and Pensions said they had not any received information from the doctor or hospital to confirm the time spent in hospital.

“No one would be expected to attend a Work Capability Assessment if they are undergoing treatment in hospital”, the spokesperson said.

“They or a family member just needs to tell us and send a note from their GP or hospital to confirm. Unfortunately, if this is not done, it may affect someone’s benefits.

“Anyone can ask the department to reconsider a benefit decision, providing additional information at any stage, and may be able to qualify for crisis loans to cover essential costs.”

They also said benefits can be reinstated and repaid once evidence is provided.

Comments(29)

pete woodley says...
10:57am Tue 7 Aug 12

Nobody cares,the NHS needs a big shake up.I just got told yesterday that my prostrate treatment is not working and that my cancer is now life threatening,told bluntly and all finished in 5 minutes,i am still in shock.

Report this post »

Morrigan says...
11:11am Tue 7 Aug 12

pete woodley wrote:
Nobody cares,the NHS needs a big shake up.I just got told yesterday that my prostrate treatment is not working and that my cancer is now life threatening,told bluntly and all finished in 5 minutes,i am still in shock.
This is not about the NHS - it's about the benefits agency - faceless bureaucrats working for the DWP should be ashamed of themselves!

Report this post »

Far Corfe says...
11:18am Tue 7 Aug 12

pete woodley wrote:
Nobody cares,the NHS needs a big shake up.I just got told yesterday that my prostrate treatment is not working and that my cancer is now life threatening,told bluntly and all finished in 5 minutes,i am still in shock.
This is nothhing to do with the NHS, the DWP no doubt do the best job they can given the current situation, no doubt they will rectify the situation. Pete it's Prostate not Prostrate and I do hope the NHS will be looking at other ways of treating you!!

Report this post »

abidah says...
11:22am Tue 7 Aug 12

Both the DWP and NHS are failing. I have an elderly man recently out of hospital whose GP refused to home visit so he returned to the hospital system to bed block.The DWP refused to help with funding and harrassed him into a further heart attack. He now has liver and kidney failure problems. This is one of many.

Report this post »

penhale says...
11:26am Tue 7 Aug 12

As already been said, this is not down to the NHS, this is due to the present government making the poorest and the needy of this country suffer to prop up the wealthy.
Bankers caused the present situation and while they still reap rewards of massive bonuses people are dying, starving and going without today's essentials to survive.

Report this post »

abidah says...
11:33am Tue 7 Aug 12

The local central point of the cat attacks in Bournemouth,Poole,Ch
ristchurch and Ferndown will identify the culprits. Poison and air rifle attacks during school holidays in the area all related.Teenagers and their younger friends. That's how it seems to me.

Report this post »

pete woodley says...
11:36am Tue 7 Aug 12

Surely if someone is ill and in hospital,then someone at the hospital should check that when they leave they will be alright.

Report this post »

HRH of Boscombe says...
11:38am Tue 7 Aug 12

Far Corfe I'm sure the spelling is what Pete's really worried about. insensitive trainspotter!

Report this post »

InkZ says...
11:41am Tue 7 Aug 12

Car insurance more important than food?

Report this post »

scrumpyjack says...
11:43am Tue 7 Aug 12

HRH of Boscombe wrote:
Far Corfe I'm sure the spelling is what Pete's really worried about. insensitive trainspotter!
Agreed.

He may be a right old moaner at times but no one should have to hear a message like that.

Hope you'll be ok Pete.

Report this post »

Old Colonial says...
12:38pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Hang on a minute.

According to the report the issue is the absence of a letter from GP or hospital. So, if the DWP do not know she is on treatment, and the GP/hospital is not made aware she is on these specific benefits, how could she have known about the need for a letter?

Report this post »

Morrigan says...
12:58pm Tue 7 Aug 12

InkZ wrote:
Car insurance more important than food?
It is when you need the car to get to hospital for treatment in the first place ........

Report this post »

Huey says...
1:05pm Tue 7 Aug 12

pete woodley wrote:
Nobody cares,the NHS needs a big shake up.I just got told yesterday that my prostrate treatment is not working and that my cancer is now life threatening,told bluntly and all finished in 5 minutes,i am still in shock.
Thinking of you Pete. Very sad to see this.

Report this post »

woby_tide says...
1:14pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Morrigan wrote:
InkZ wrote:
Car insurance more important than food?
It is when you need the car to get to hospital for treatment in the first place ........
She can barely move, should she be driving?

Car insurance -> mobile phone --------------------
--------------------
--------------------
----> gas -> electric -> food for her kids

Odd choices

Report this post »

mazzyf says...
2:14pm Tue 7 Aug 12

InkZ wrote:
Car insurance more important than food?
If you need the car to get to hospital for lifesaving treatment you have no choice but to insure it. I had to travel to hospital every day for 3 weeks for my radiotherapy.

Report this post »

Gordon Clifton says...
2:23pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Old Colonial: spot on! The real issue is that the various state agencies work in stove pipes with no-one taking the overall view. Also, agencies are protecting budgets with DWP under particular pressure to comply and with nearly all discretion withdrawn. Yet employees of the DWP continue to work under these conditions.

Report this post »

ShuttleX says...
4:54pm Tue 7 Aug 12

She said: “I wasn’t given any reason as to why it was stopped. I was due to go for two appointments but I was in and out of hospital so I missed the second rearranged appointment.

“Soon after, the money stopped"

Sorry Ms Sheppard, you were given a reason. When the appointment was made, you would have been told that by missing it, you ran the risk of having your benefits stopped. I am assuming that you never informed the DWP that you were in hospital? I can't really see what all the fuss is about. They have rules to follow, which it looks like they did. You on the other hand didn't. That is why you have had no money. Whilst I sympathise with you on all your different illnesses, and wish you well, the fact remains that the DWP have a duty not to waste our money. If people do not follow the rules, which are clearly explained, then the fault does not lay with the DWP. I am sure you have already been advised to claim DLA as, from the story at least, you would stand a good chance of getting that, if you don't already.
Not quite sure where the NHS comes into this though.
Mr Woodley. Although I do not agree with most of what you post, as I am sure you disagree with me, I do wish you well in your fight against the cancer.

Report this post »

greasy Lils breakfast emporium says...
4:56pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Huey wrote:
pete woodley wrote:
Nobody cares,the NHS needs a big shake up.I just got told yesterday that my prostrate treatment is not working and that my cancer is now life threatening,told bluntly and all finished in 5 minutes,i am still in shock.
Thinking of you Pete. Very sad to see this.
You need to get some fresh air and decent food in your belly, its no good for you sitting there moaning 24/7
i mean look at my dads muscles hes ready to fight Vladimir
Its too late when you've kicked the bucket
I hope the constable you called has fixed your plumbing.
.

Report this post »

manyogie says...
6:37pm Tue 7 Aug 12

Yet anyone else can walk straight into this Country and claim housing and benifits.
Perhaps Mrs Shepherd should learn any foreign language and claim asylum here.

Report this post »

gerbil112 says...
7:45pm Tue 7 Aug 12

I see no mention of contributions from the absent father(s) of the children for their upkeep and welfare. Are the CSA slacking in chasing them down? The children's welfare alone should ensure that Child Benefit would be paid, as both children appear to be of school age.

Report this post »

Dibbles2 says...
9:17pm Tue 7 Aug 12

The appointments that you have to attend while on ESA are generally the back to work interviews. Now she would also have to send in her sickness notes which would say why she is unfit for work so it is odd that the DWP stopped her benefits when she is clearly undergoing lifesaving treatment. (If within the first 12 weeks). After the 12 week period it would be an appt about going back to work or an appeal. (No sick notes required)If the appeal was missed they will stop it automatically and it will take time to reinstate properly.

I do hope she gets well soon and that the DWP sort it out quickly.

Report this post »

cech says...
10:14pm Tue 7 Aug 12

It amazes me how when things go wrong it is always down to the government, DWP, Council, NHS,CSA etc. Unfortunately I dont think these departments are provided with crystal balls to predict what is going on in each individuals life and therefore request the indiviual to take some responsibility for their own lives and let the relevant departments know what is happening. In this case an appointment was rescheduled but due to being in hospital the appontment was missed, I assume the picture shows this ladies children who look old enough to post a letter on behalf of their mum or friend family could have helped. This is out of any staff members control whether it be a public servant or not, if people dont inform a company of their situation. It is unfortunate it has happened but inevitable.

Report this post »

BIGTONE says...
1:00am Wed 8 Aug 12

Old Colonial wrote:
Hang on a minute.

According to the report the issue is the absence of a letter from GP or hospital. So, if the DWP do not know she is on treatment, and the GP/hospital is not made aware she is on these specific benefits, how could she have known about the need for a letter?
If you don't ask or do.....they won't give.

Report this post »

greasy Lils breakfast emporium says...
8:45am Wed 8 Aug 12

You seem to know a lot bout

claiming every hand out under the sun.

Should a got yourself a house by now

Report this post »

jczxr01 says...
8:53am Wed 8 Aug 12

Clearly from the wrong country!

Report this post »

greasy Lils breakfast emporium says...
9:04am Wed 8 Aug 12

You seem to know a lot bout

claiming every hand out under the sun.

Should a got yourself a house by now

Report this post »

jaylo says...
8:07am Thu 9 Aug 12

such a shame this women was not properly advised of the benefits she may of been able to claim in the last year due to her illness and not being able to work.i wish her a healthy recovery and hope she gets some proper advice

Report this post »

APC303 says...
11:14am Thu 9 Aug 12

Yeah it's blatantly foreigners fault, without a doubt. Coming over here and stealing all our will to keep the DWP informed of illness.

Report this post »

Bournefre says...
10:27pm Thu 9 Aug 12

“I explained on the phone afterwards and was told by a lady not to worry because she understood the circumstances."
-
Typical response from a public sector jobsworth - fob people off by sounding like you care, then do absolutely nothing. It's no good 'reinstating and repaying' benefits when the DWP encourage everyone to live hand to mouth - a sick person can't very well sit around in the winter with no heating fuel or food waiting for someone in an office to tick a box.

Report this post »

click2find

About cookies

We want you to enjoy your visit to our website. That's why we use cookies to enhance your experience. By staying on our website you agree to our use of cookies. Find out more about the cookies we use.

I agree