Chronic pain patieint, 60, told ‘you’re fit to work’ | Nottingham Post

A CALVERTON woman who lives in "near constant" pain after breaking her back in four places in a freak accident 28 years ago has hit out after being considered fit for work.

Linda Martin-Hacket, 60, of Broadfields, was given incapacity benefit indefinitely after the accident on Front Street, Arnold, where she fell through a grate when she was 32.

She had a number of operations to deal with her injuries and takes morphine twice daily to deal with the pain.

But in September this year, she was given a work assessment by Atos to fill in following changes to the benefit system and, to her surprise, Mrs Martin-Hackett was found fit to work and moved to a work-related support group.

She said: "It was just a shock and then I was scared thinking about the benefits being cut if I couldn't work, which I knew was the case with me.

"I spend most of my day in near-constant pain, have limited movement and age really isn't on my side, so I'm getting worse, if anything.

"I filled in the work assessment to the best of my ability and didn't think anyone could ever think I could work again.

"I would if I could. I used to love work. When the accident happened, I was working at the Sainsbury's, in Front Street (where Wilkinson is now located) and it was like being part of a family.

"I used to love seeing people and chatting and I wanted to go back, but the pain was too much."

Mrs Martin-Hacket would have moved from incapacity benefit – now known as employment support allowance – to her state pension at the age of 60, but this was increased by the Government from April 2010. She now won't get her pension until she reaches 62.

She said: "It's like a double-whammy. I think the Government is being insensitive and has got this wrong."

After the Post contacted the Department for Work and Pensions, it decided to review Mrs Martin-Hacket's case and move her back on to employment support allowance until she reaches pension age. A DWP spokesman said: "We're reassessing everyone on incapacity benefit, as we know people's conditions can improve over time and, if someone is capable of doing a suitable form of work, we should be doing everything we can to help them achieve their aspirations of supporting themselves and their families.

"Those who aren't capable of working will continue to receive the financial support they need.

"We have reviewed Mrs Martin-Hackett's case and will continue to pay her the same rate of benefit as before. We apologise for any concern this has caused."

An Atos spokeswoman said: "Employment support allowance is not the same as incapacity benefit – it has different criteria and descriptors. You may have been eligible for IB and find that you are not eligible for ESA. Atos Healthcare has been delivering assessments on behalf of the DWP for the last 15 years and we have only been in the news since the change in policy and introduction of ESA."

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