Blind Woman Told To Look For Work ‘Because She Can Cross Road With Guide Dog’

A blind woman said she will fight to have her benefits reinstated after being told to get a job.

Natasha Pogson was called up to a controversial ‘fit-to-work’ assessment – part of the government’s overhaul of the welfare system.

The 28-year-old was born blind as a result of being premature – arriving at 26 weeks and weighing just 1lb 11oz.

But an assessor ruled she was not eligible for help and told her she must actively look for work through Jobseeker’s Allowance (JSA).

Natasha’s previous benefits amounted to £162 a week under the disability allowance scheme but this will fall to £72.40 under JSA.

Natasha is in the process of appealing against the decision and slammed the system for making her feel like a benefits cheat.

“They make you feel so small, almost suggesting I am making my disability up,” she said.

“The reason for me not qualifying is apparently because I can cross a road with a blind dog in a place I am familiar with, but that isn’t always the case.

“There has been times I have fallen over in the street and not been able to get my bearings until someone comes, even with my dog there.”

Natasha, of Malvern Road, Billingham, is among thousands of people who have had to take part in the assessments.

Those who claimed incapacity benefit, income support for illness or disability or severe disablement allowance, are transferred to a new payment called employment and support allowance (ESA).

The tests, carried out on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), decide whether claimants are still eligible to receive support.

Participants must score 15 to be deemed unable to work. Natasha scored nine and was told she was “no longer assessed as having limited capability for work”.

“The assessors ask questions such as how many fingers are they holding up, or they would lift their arms and ask if I could do the same without telling me what they were doing. I felt stupid.”

Dad Karl, 47, is Natasha’s main carer. He said he was disgusted by the answers his daughter received.

He said: “Natasha has enough problems without people questioning her ability and intention.

“I understand the Government is trying to get people off benefits, but you have to live in the life of a blind person to know what they go through.

“For Natasha to qualify for JSA she has to be able to travel for up to 90 minutes on her own, which is completely unrealistic.”

A Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said: “The assessment is designed to look at what work someone can do with the right support – rather than just writing people off on sickness benefits as happened in the past.

“The decision on entitlement is made after considering all the evidence, including evidence from a claimant’s GP, and people have the right to submit extra evidence or appeal as part of the process.”