Forced to find work

I wonder if everyone who has been in my position, of claiming long-term incapacity benefit, feels the same as I do.

I have claimed for a number of years and was told by various medical professionals that if I returned to work I would cause myself further severe damage.

Then, at an examination at Wolverhampton social medical centre, I was asked only five questions out of about 30 listed, before the examining doctor took it upon himself to fill in the remaining answers.

I know the government says it needs to get the figures down, but I didn't think it meant people with genuine conditions would be first in line to lose benefits when there are so many people who won't work.

While people such as me are awaiting an appeal, which could take six months or more, their benefits are reduced to a level where they are only able to pay to heat their home for a week.

If someone claims benefits and works on the side, it is classed as fraud and deception. Surely the examiner filling out people's forms and answering the questions should also be classed as fraud and deception.

I am now being forced to gain employment against doctors' advice, but finding it hard as employers don't want to employ people with long-term illnesses. But we have to do something just to keep the roof over our heads.

S Shakespeare, Oakwood Crescent, Dudley.