Bristol Woman Trapped Inside Own Home with Incurable Skin Disease Deemed Fit to Work

CeaJay Clem

A woman from Bristol who has been house-bound since being diagnosed with an incurable flesh-eating disease in 2002 claims her disability benefit has been cut - because assessors have deemed her fit to work.

CeaJay Clem, from Longwell Green, claims her Employment and Support Allowance (ESA) was cut this month following an assessment at Flowers Hill Medical Centre on January 19.

The 59-year-old says she has received the benefit since suffering a breakdown in 1997 and was "signed on for life" after being diagnosed with Discoid Lupus Erythematosus - a form of skin rash made worse by exposure to sunlight - in 2002.

The condition, which she described as "devastating", means CeaJay cannot go outside for more than 15 minutes at a time without her skin burning - even when wearing protective clothing and factor 50 sun cream.

Although she has worked from home as an artist since her diagnosis, she has now been told to sign on for Jobseekers Allowance (JSA).

But unable to leave her house during the day or complete the 45-minute journey on public transport to the Job Centre in Kingswood, CeaJay has pleaded with assessors to reinstate her ESA.

The 59-year-old says she cannot go outside for more than 15 to 20 minutes.

Image courtesy of the Bristol Post

Without it, she currently has no income and fears she may be forced to move out if she cannot pay her rent on time.

"I had an ESA assessment on January 19 at Flowers Hill," she told the Bristol Post.

"It's all to do with the Government reforming the benefits system. I went along, did some tests and that was it. They asked me questions like if I could walk or fill a kettle, which I can, and they decided I was fit for work.

"The assessors didn't refer to my Lupus at all, even though I live at home with sun-block curtains and don't go outside. I can't go out during daylight hours without putting total sunblock on.

"I can only stand 15-20 minutes, but my condition was dismissed as 'I do not like to go outside because of my skin problem'.

"It's a joke. The whole assessment is geared towards physical activity and if you can make a cup of tea then you must be motivated and therefore you can work."

CeaJay plans to appeal the decision but claims the process can take up to six months.

The DWP have been asked to comment.