Robbing the Blind – This is the Great New World of the Union Better Together Have Signed Scotland Up to?
A woman blind since birth was asked by a benefits assessor, “how many fingers am I holding up?” It was just one of a series of humiliating questions fired at Natasha Pogson 28y to check if she was still entitled to state benefits.The Department of Work & Pensions interviewer also lifted her arms and asked Natasha to copy her and wanted to know how long she spent reading.
Natasha, of Billingham, Co Durham said, “they made me feel so small,almost suggesting I was making my disability up.” My dad was in the room and he had to repeatedly point out I couldn’t see. It was upsetting and humiliating and the way these things are assessed needs to be changed. Natasha – blind after being born prematurely then had her £163 a week benefit slashed to £72 because she can cross the road with the aid of a guide dog. She is appealing the decision.
One reply on “Robbing the Blind – This is the Great New World of the Union Better Together Have Signed Scotland Up to?”
Appalling utterly appalling, there are no words!
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