Terminally ill mum who can't talk, walk or dress herself refused Pip payment

A terminally ill mum who has been given three years to live has been denied disability benefit despite being unable to eat, talk, dress or use the toilet independently.

Rachael Field, 56, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, who has tongue cancer, was first diagnosed six years ago.

She uses a feeding tube, has had her tongue and voice box removed, and had her windpipe reconstructed using chest tissue. Field also has mobility issues.

Earlier this year, she was denied Personal Independence Payment (Pip), to support people with disability-related extra costs.

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) said it needed further evidence to complete the claim and was sorry for "any distress" to the family.

Field, from Rhondda Cynon Taf, said she has had cancer four times in six years, and now cannot do anything for herself.

"I need help to wash, dress and use the bathroom. I can only walk a few steps with help. I cannot eat or drink, everything has to go through my feeding tube," she added.

The former factory worker was forced to stop working following her terminal diagnosis, and her family has been managing the financial strain.

Field applied for Pip in May, but it was denied as she was awarded zero points across all assessed categories.

Pip is a benefit people with long-term illnesses and disabilities can claim if they need help with extra costs associated with living, work and care. Eligibility is determined through an assessment.

Under the current system, claimants are scored on a zero to 12 scale by a health professional on everyday tasks such as washing, getting dressed and preparing food.

Field's family said repeated rescheduling of the assessment process caused delays, and that despite lodging an appeal several months ago, they are still awaiting an outcome.

Field said the treatment she received from her medical test "has been outstanding" but has an issue with "the system Pip uses to assess people".

She said: "People need the help while they are alive."

Her daughter, Kyra Hawkins-Field, 20, said it is "ridiculous" that her mum has not been able to claim Pip and does not want her "stressing about money" while she only has "a couple of years left".

She criticised the benefits assessment process and said it was too reliant on a checklist, and did not reflect people's real-life struggles.

"They've basically turned around and said, 'we think you're fine'," she said.

Hawkins-Field said her dad Eddie has become the family's "superhero", working full-time and then visiting his wife in hospital every day.

The couple married 15 years ago after meeting when they both worked in a factory. They enjoy visiting towns across Wales, and still hope to visit Scotland and Ireland one day.

Hawkins-Field said her mum likes the "little things in life", but "loves doing jigsaw puzzles, big, really, really difficult, intricate jigsaw puzzles" and reading.

Hawkins-Field launched a GoFundMe appeal with the aim of raising £1,000 to help her mum enjoy what time she has left with her family, including some trips around the UK, while she still can.

A DWP spokesperson said: "We're sorry for any distress Ms Field and her family are feeling at this difficult time.

"We have been unable to complete the claim as we need further evidence from Ms Field. We have attempted to contact her in order to resolve the situation and will continue to do so."

Field's family said they were in discussion with the DWP.