Parkinson’s sufferer ‘forced to live in Dickensian times’ after DWP refuses benefits

Exclusive: Father-of-two told he doesn’t qualify for payment for illness despite suffering worsening pain and falling

A pensioner with Parkinson’s says he has been forced to live in “Dickensian times” after he was denied Personal Independence Payment (PIP) benefit despite his debilitating condition.

It comes after a report by MPs found the system of health assessments for benefits “continues to let people down”.

Stanley Smith says he has been left taking antidepressants from the stress of battling with assessors as well as his illness, and being on a low income.