PC David Rathband Says Benefit Award Is ‘Unfair’
The police officer blinded by Raoul Moat has described the level of mobility payment he has been awarded as unfair.
Pc David Rathband was shot in the face and chest by the gunman on 4 July.
He revealed on Twitter that it was “somehow not fair” that he had been awarded the lowest band, £18.95 a week.
The Northumbria Police officer is understood to be getting a higher band for the care component of his Disability Living Allowance.
Disability Living Allowance is a tax-free benefit for disabled children and adults who need someone to help look after them, or who have walking difficulties.
It has two components, care and mobility, and is available whether or not the recipient is working.
‘No malice’
Pc Rathband wrote on Twitter: “Now ready for battle with the DHSS.
“Been awarded lowest band for mobility. Somehow not fair.”
A spokesman for the department for Work and Pensions said: “We are indebted to Pc Rathband for his bravery and we want to ensure he receives all the benefits he is entitled to.
“For those who require frequent care and supervision, the highest rate of the care component of disability living allowance is awarded to meet their care needs.”
After the shooting, Pc Rathband said that he “bore no malice” towards Moat, who later shot himself in Rothbury, Northumberland, following a week-long manhunt.
He also said he that he was determined to return to duty as a police officer.
Northumbria Police has confirmed that Pc Rathband is still employed by the force, and receiving his full salary.
Same Difference 
]Unfortunately, PC Rathband is finding out what blind people have been saying for a long time. That is, although we can walk and therefore can’t qualify for the higher rate mobility award under current rules, put us in a strange environment and without a lot of inner resources, we struggle to get from A to B. Mny blind people don’t go out because of this.
I for one have just come back from a hospital appointment which cost me a £24 taxi fare. This is more than my weekly DLA payment as quoted in the article.
I would like to hope that PC Rathband is successful in his claim, thus opening the door for other blind people to make similar claims.
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