Amputee soldier's disgust after Government withdraws disability benefit
A soldier has spoken of his disgust after his disability benefit was axed despite losing a leg fighting for his country.
Private Aron Shelton, 26, had his left leg amputated in December 2008 after he was injured in an explosion in Helmand province, Afghanistan, a year earlier.
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Private Aron Shelton has had his disability benefit stopped.
After an 18-month struggle, the Bridlington soldier has learned to walk a few hundred metres with the help of a prosthetic limb.
But as a result of his efforts, the Department for Work and Pensions has ruled this means he no longer needs his £180-a-month Disability Living Allowance.
From September, he will lose his allowance, which he traded in each month in return for the use of a specially-adapted car.
Pte Shelton said that without a car, his dream of rebuilding his life as a taxi driver was in tatters.
He said: "I'm disgusted, shocked and mortified.
"I risked my life and now I feel let down by the Government.
"It took a lot of hard work to get where I am today – I'm still in excruciating agony when I walk – and this is the thanks for being honest. So many people aren't and cheat the system.
"I feel like my independence is being taken away."
Pte Shelton had served in the Army for nine years, completing two tours of Afghanistan, in 2005 and 2007.
His injuries were so severe it took six months before he could take a single step unaided.
Now, he is able to walk up to 400 metres, but he relies on his automatic Vauxhall Astra to get around.
He said: "It's my lifeline to the outside world. I need the car to keep in touch with my family, including my nephews, and my friends.
"Without the car I'm lost. I can't afford a new automatic car, costing £10,000 to £15,000.
"I want to become a taxi driver, but I will now have to hire an automatic car, which will be expensive."
East Yorkshire MP Greg Knight has contacted the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) about the case.
He said: "I was surprised to hear of his benefits being withdrawn and contacted the department straight away and am currently waiting to hear back from them for an explanation as to why this has happened.
"On the face of it, it does seem unreasonable and unfair."
A DWP spokesperson said: "Aron Shelton's case is under review and we recognise his brave service to his country.
"This case is a stark reminder why we need a new assessment to decide if someone is eligible for Disability Living Allowance (DLA).
"Eligibility to DLA, like all our benefits, is based on a set of criteria set out in legislation and is not discretionary."
15 Comments
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by Bob, Essex
Tuesday, July 27 2010, 4:19PM
“Seeing the number of "minorities" with cushy government jobs I just wonder if someone with the wrong religious leanings stopped his allowances,even taking his adapted car away”
by Red Dog, Hull w/side
Saturday, July 24 2010, 10:36PM
“Tom, Hull,40+comments? Answer=Backtrack to NO3.”
by Ranter, Hull.
Saturday, July 24 2010, 10:16PM
“What do you expect from a goverment that has a good track record of picking on the poor, the unemployed, the disabled, the sick.
Easy targets, despised througout history by the Tory right wing.
Wait till they bin the Lib/Dem lot, and have a free hand to start doing what they really stand for.”
by TOM, hull
Saturday, July 24 2010, 9:47PM
“What happened to the 40+comments from yesterday”
by shirley.r.marshall, goole
Saturday, July 24 2010, 6:24PM
“Hope your mp can do something about this appalling decision. The trouble is young man, you arent an asylumseeker, migrant, terrorist, you are a young man badly injured serving this country . This is absolutely despicable”
by Dorothy, East Hull
Saturday, July 24 2010, 3:12PM
“I think it's disgusting that this man has had his benefits stopped.
I hope the new government do something about all the people who are claiming and pretending to be chronically ill, and taking advantage of the system and us taxpayers.
It's a mockery when here is someone who is disabled through serving his country and is in penury, and yet I bet we all know someone who is milking it.
I used to work with someone who was from Preston Road, and he claimed all the benefits he could due to being disabled after a back injury. It didn't stop him doing guvvy driving jobs, driving HGV's overnight all over the country, cash in hand though, did it?
It makes me sick.”
by Red Dog, Hull w/side
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:46PM
“Just to let anyone who is not aware of it, ''You Can Claim Disability Benefit'' Even if you are working, And many who are working Do!.”
by Terry, Hull
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:41PM
“Sam , do you seriously think migrants to this country don't claim benefits ? I suggest you go to the jobcentre and do some research”
by cueball44, Hull e/yorks
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:36PM
“Billy,Hull, You are spot on, It is the ''How Far Can You Walk Question'',One of my neighbours Who has Asthma fell at the same fence after filling the form in, After a few weeks passed i asked her how she had got on with her claim, She answered i got refused, So i asked why, She answered well they asked me how far i could walk without feeling short of breath, And without thinking said ''about 200 yards'' But i meant that is only on a good day!,Well i nearly went blue in the face and told her she should have had help with filling the form in,Anyway she appealed and got it sorted.”
by TC, Hu
Saturday, July 24 2010, 1:32PM
“Sam, Hull. If you were out there instead of pumping vitriol from your keyboard you'd want to be considered as a hero wouldn't you? But then you aren't out there are you Sam and from your reactions it might appear that you could possibly have been turned down for a Disability Living Allowance yourself. If so could the reason possibly be on the grounds that a fat backside is an insufficiently good reason. Try not to take up two seats when you're on the bus Sam, when your pass only allows for one.
Aron is deserving of support.”