Metro-London (KC) 25-Sep-08
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Dying cancer sufferer told to work
A terminally ill cancer patient with less than a year to live has had his benefits stopped by officials who told him he was fit to work.
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Keith Arden
Former miner Keith Arden, 56, is appealing against the decision but has been told he may have to wait nine months for a hearing.
Mr Arden said: 'I might not be here then. It is atrocious. I've worked hard all my life for over 40 years and I'm having to fight for my rights in my condition.'
The father of four had a kidney removed in December after being diagnosed with renal cancer and was awaiting test results to see if he was cured.
But, while he was waiting, Mr Arden, who lives with his disabled wife Teresa in Featherstone, West Yorkshire, was called to the benefits office for a medical.
Mr Arden was told he was fit to work as he had been operated on, and his £75-a-week incapacity payments were stopped.
Days later, doctors told him the cancer had spread and that he may have just 11 months to live. When he informed his Department for Work and Pensions office, he was told an appeal could take up to nine months. Yorkshire MP Jon Trickett said: 'No one with cancer should have to deal with this kind of situation.'
Last night, a spokesman for the DWP said it was now trying to resolve the matter as quickly as possible.
'Special rules may enable us to fast-track the claim,' the spokesman added.
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