Jarrow woman's fears she could lose mobility car which keeps her in work

A carer believes she could be forced to give up the job she loves and go back on benefits because she faces losing her mobility car.
Sandie Coulson is fighting to keep her mobility car through changes in her benefits.Sandie Coulson is fighting to keep her mobility car through changes in her benefits.
Sandie Coulson is fighting to keep her mobility car through changes in her benefits.

Sandie Coulson is paralysed down her left side after suffering a stroke in 1996 .

The 56-year-old from Jarrow’s Scotch Estate says her job is her lifeline after battling years of depression which left her struggling to leave the house.

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Now the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has said it will review her situation after she was told she would lose part of her allowance - which covered the £80 weekly payments for the car.

She has said no medical assessment has been carried out, while the DWP said it uses information provided by the claimant.

Sandie plans to appeal, although fears she will have to give up the car before the process is complete.

She said: “I love my job and I don’t want to give it up. It gets me out, I’m on less medication.

“I’m only working part time, but I’m paying tax.

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“If I had to give up work, I’d have to claim all sorts of benefit for housing and other things.

“I’m not giving it up without a fight.”

A spokeswoman for the DWP said: “Decisions on eligibility for Personal Independence Payment are made after consideration of all the evidence, including an assessment and information provided by the claimant and their GP.

“The majority of people leaving the Motability scheme will be eligible for a one-off payment of £2,000, which will help ensure their mobility needs continue to be met.
“Financial support through Access to Work is also available for disabled people in work.”