The devastated daughter of an East Lothian dad with incurable blood cancer has hit out at the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) after he was denied benefits because his illness 'doesn't affect his life enough'.
Paul Swain, from Haddington, is undergoing intensive chemotherapy but may now be forced to stop his treatment so he can go back to work.
The 55-year-old was diagnosed with multiple myeloma in February 2021, just five years after losing son James, 30, to the disease in 2016.
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The self-employed cleaner also has cytoma tumour in his back and submitted a claim for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) to the DWP in March 2021 which was later rejected.
Daughter Joanne Davidson, told the Record he is in so much pain that he can barely move.
The 34-year-old said: "My dad is really suffering. He can barely move some days with the pain and he is being sick.
"The hospital told him he can't go back to work, but his claim for PIP (Personal Independence Payment) was denied because he is still able to do some things for himself.
"It was decided that the cancer did not affect his life enough because he can make his own food or a cup of tea."
Joanne slammed the decision as 'horrific' and said that Paul, who has worked hard his entire life, is now considering stopping his treatment so that he can return to work to make ends meet.
She explained: "My mum had a heart attack last year so she's also off work. They are falling behind on their rent.
"My dad is at the end of his tether with it and thinks he will have to go back to work.
"He's worked hard his whole life. He's not the type of person to ask for help, so this a kick in the teeth because he really needs it.
"I am angry. This is horrific. When people like my dad need help the most, they aren't getting it.
"How many other families are going through the same thing?"
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The dad needs intensive chemotherapy for 10-months before going on to have a stem cell transplant his family hope will help to prolong his life.
If the treatment is successful, doctors hope the dad may be able to spend another 10 years with wife Wendy, Joanne, son Paul, 27, and his three young grandkids.
The desperate family have submitted another claim for PIP and are awaiting an outcome.
Joanne has since launched a fundraiser in a desperate bid to help her dad recover without the stress of debt.
Donations to the fundraising page can be made by clicking here.
A DWP spokesperson said:“Our thoughts are with Mr Swain at this difficult time.
“The decision on Mr Swain’s original PIP claim was recently upheld by the Tribunal at the appeal stage and that appeal could only consider Mr Swain’s health at the time of the claim.
“Sadly, Mr Swain’s health has since deteriorated and we encouraged him to make a new claim based on his condition now, which he has submitted. That claim is currently being processed.”
