A father was disgusted after his severely disabled son might have to prove he couldn't work in order to receive benefits.
Liam Barker, 18, was not expected to live beyond three months old after he was born paralysed and has remained on life support since birth. But Liam defied his prognosis and celebrated his milestone birthday in December last year despite being born with an incredibly rare condition, called myotubular myopathy, a terminal muscle wasting disease.
He requires a ventilator to breathe and needs constant care from his parents Phil Barker, 52, and Michelle, 44, at their home in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough. The family were awaiting news on which benefits their son would be entitled to but were shocked when they received a letter which informed them Liam would be entitled to employment and support allowance but that he may need to attend a 'Work Focus interview' in order to receive them.
Two weeks ago, Mrs Barker, who also has a 12-year-old daughter, discovered that Liam's child benefit payments had been stopped.
Mr Barker said: 'I discovered the letter last week. We'd been on a week's respite and it was there when we got back. 'I rang Stockton Benefit Centre and a woman on the phone asked me: "Can he work?"
'I tried to explain his medical condition and she just said: "It's a yes or no answer, it's a standard issue form." Mr Barker explained that his son couldn't work but the lady on the phone said he may have to be interviewed and receive a medical assessment.
Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... z27FCI8V1O
UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
It's about time too.
Now all the Daily Mail readers heads will explode.
Now all the Daily Mail readers heads will explode.
Bah!
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
He's faking it, the clever b*st*rd. 
Your collective inability to acknowledge this obvious truth makes you all look like fools.
yrs,
rubato
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
How can he claim he can't work when he can burst a football under his bare hand?
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
Typical Man U fan by the look of him....
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
Yes... the Middlesborough scarf really gives it away... 
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
Oh bollocks!! LOL!! Ok, one to you Sean 
“If you trust in yourself, and believe in your dreams, and follow your star. . . you'll still get beaten by people who spent their time working hard and learning things and weren't so lazy.”
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
it was my understanding that most Man U supporters were just attracted to any old red and white sporting paraphernalia. Just because it is obviously a Middlesborough scarf DOESN'T mean he isn't a Man U supporter.
Bah!
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
So are you saying that United fans would be attracted to Liverpool scarves Hen? 
Why is it that when Miley Cyrus gets naked and licks a hammer it's 'art' and 'edgy' but when I do it I'm 'drunk' and 'banned from the hardware store'?
Re: UK getting tough on (a) dole scrounger
Like Bower birds are attracted to blue, any old red and white tatt will do.
Bah!