Harlow Teen Denied Benefits Despite Urgently Needing Kidney Replacement

A teenager in need of a kidney transplant is angry she will not be allowed a supportive benefit.

Brooke Johnson, 19, of Manor Road, Harlow, has autoimmunity, a condition which causes the body's immune system to attack healthy cells.

After suffering symptoms including anaemia, nausea, high blood pressure, vision problems and fatigue she was forced to quit her job at Home Bargains and defer studying her A levels.

With building medical bills, her family were hoping state support could ease their financial pressures, but now feel failed by the system.

Brooke said: "My body eats itself. I have had it for years but I was only diagnosed in April.

"The tiredness is unreal and I cannot walk very far. I could not work because of it and I have constant hospital visits.

"It was really bad to leave my job as I did enjoy it there. I am doing nothing, just waiting around for hospital appointments."

She needs a new kidney and has to have dialysis. Members of her family are being considered as potential kidney donors.

While Brooke is confident of finding a donor, they would need to be compatible and the process could take at least a year. She expressed her gratitude to those who have offered.

Her medication costs £43 a month and every trip to a specialist at Lister Hospital in Stevenage costs £20, not including petrol and parking costs, which has left the family struggling to make ends meet.

In addition Darren Johnson, Brooke's father, has to take holiday time from work to give her a lift.

Brooke added: "I thought I would be entitled to ESA (employment and support allowance benefit).

"But when I got there (to the job centre) they said I was not."

She explained that because her boyfriend Joseph lives with the family they are seen as a cohabiting couple in the eyes of the law.

Joseph is therefore expected to foot the bill, despite an income described as "low".

"I get down and it is a very bad situation," said Brooke, who hopes to study to be a forensic pathologist.

Image: Brooke Johnson with mum Tara and dad Darren

Patricia Slominski, Brooke's grandmother, said: "I am hoping this time next year she can have her life back. She is very bright.

"Her family pays for the medication but I think she is entitled to something in her own right.

"I think this has come about through medical negligence. This should have been picked up last year.

"She has been badly let down and I think it is disgusting."

Brooke's mum Tara has started a petition and will contact Harlow MP Robert Halfon to ask for support.

"I want to let people know how things like this happen," she said.

"Everyone has let her down."

A spokesman from the Department of Work and Pensions said: "Income-related ESA is prioritised for people in low income households. Someone's eligibility may be affected by their partner's income."