Blind, epileptic and arthritic woman declared fit for work despite saying she cannot leave her home unaided

from the Independent

A blind, epileptic woman who told the Government she cannot leave her home without help, use a pen or make a cup of tea has been declared fit for work, it has been reported.

Hazel Macrae, 62, who also suffers from osteoarthritis and type 2 diabetes, told assessors looking at her entitlement to Employment Support Allowance (ESA) that she would be unable to move safely in a workplace, according to Chronicle Live.

Now she has been judged to have “limited capability for work”, her payments have been reduced by £15 a fortnight and she must meet with a work coach, the newspaper reported.

Ms Macrae, of Walker in Newcastle upon Tyne, told the Chronicle: “There are no jobs that I can do. They have said that I can use my hands and I’m expected to apply for all jobs going.

“I can’t even make a cup of tea myself because of the boiling water.”

She has been placed in the work-related activity group category of claimants, but has appealed the ruling, the site said.

The Department for Work and Pensions said it planned to look again at Ms Macrae’s case…

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