A CHARD man has been told he is not eligible to receive Incapacity Benefits even though he is waiting for a kidney transplant.

John Whitworth, 48, of Lower Touches, was struck down with scleroderma in March this year and had to give up work at Eagle Plant.

Scleroderma is an auto-immune disease where the immune system which should protect the body attacks it instead, causing inflammation and scarring, leaving the skin thickened, muscles weakened and organs damaged.

John collapsed having had three seizures and was in intensive care at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital, where he was diagnosed with scleroderma and suffered kidney failure.

But his wife, Selma, told the News they have been told John was not ill enough to receive any benefits.

“We have four children to care for, but John’s apparently not ill enough to be eligible for benefits,” she said.

“How ill do you have to be, or where do you learn to screw the system like so many others?

“John’s on the transplant list and has to have dialysis three times a week.”

A Department of Work & Pensions spokesman said: “The Government has set out a package of measures to reform the welfare system, end long-term benefit dependency and make work pay.

“Alongside reassessing everyone on Incapacity Benefits, an independent review has also been ordered into the effectiveness of the Work Capa-bility Assessment.

“We want to make sure the most vulnerable and disabled people continue to get the support they need.”