Leicester: Woman given mobility scooter after DWP cuts all benefits

Sandra Cutland had her mobility scooter taken from her on Monday

A disabled woman who had her mobility scooter taken away by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has been given a replacement as a gift.

Sandra Cutland, 56, from Leicester, said all her benefits, totalling £600 a month, were stopped by the DWP last month following a phone re-assessment.

She appealed against the decision but it was dismissed and her Motability scooter was also ordered to be removed.

Now, Modern Mobility said it had gifted her a reconditioned scooter.

The DWP has stood by its decision, adding its disability assessors had made "the right decision".

Mrs Cutland, from Braunstone, has now taken the matter to an independent tribunal regarding the financial loss, which will be heard in January.

'Absolutely desperate'

She said she had been unable to work for 30 years because of numerous disabilities, which affect her movement including osteoarthritis in her knees and hip, and scoliosis.

Mrs Cutland had received Disability Living Allowance and latterly, Personal Independence Payment (PIP), and said she had used a mobility scooter for more than 20 years.

However, following a recent DWP telephone re-assessment, Mrs Cutland was judged fit enough not to need a mobility scooter and her benefits were stopped.

"They think I can walk 600 feet, 200 metres. I can't do that," she said.

"The scooter was my get up and go. Without it my husband has to push me around in my wheelchair and sometimes because of his health, he can't do it."

She said her husband David, 63, had also lost his £300 carer's allowance, leaving them only with his income support.

"I'm absolutely desperate," Mrs Cutland said.

"We haven't got money for food and bills and I don't know what to do."

'Opportunity to help'

On Monday, Modern Mobility, based in the city, took away Mrs Cutland's mobility scooter as she no longer had funding for it after her benefits were halted.

Manager Nick Partridge said the company took an independent decision to give her a replacement, free of charge.

"I have known Sandra for more than three years and she's always had a scooter," he said.

"She relies on the scooter and we had the opportunity to help her and make her happy.

"We appreciate her and treat her as family. We couldn't see her without one and not be able to see loved ones at this time of year."

A DWP spokesman said: "Our disability assessors are all qualified health professionals and in the majority of cases - whether that is by phone or in a face-to-face interview - we make the right decision."