Seriously ill man who weighed six stone and was deemed fit to work by DWP has died
Stephen Smith had to get a pass out of hospital to fight an appeal over his benefits being taken away
Stephen Smith, 64, who weighed six stone and had a variety of health problems, was deemed fit to work by the Department for Work and Pensions. Picture: Press Association
James Butler 3 months Monday April 22nd 2019
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Stephen Smith weighed six stone when he was admitted to hospital following a bout of pneumonia
He failed a work capability assessment in 2017 despite a catalogue of health issues
Tributes have been paid to the 64-year-old on social media
A man who was so ill that he only weighed six stone but was deemed fit to work by the Department for Work and Pensions has now died.
Stephen Smith's story shocked readers around the country when it was broken by the Liverpool Echo earlier this year.
Shocking images showed the 64-year-old from Kensington, Liverpool, looking emaciated with his bones sticking out after being admitted to hospital over Christmas when his weight plummeted due to a catalogue of health problems.
After six-stone man, Stephen Smith from Liverpool, was denied his benefits, tonight's edition of @granada_debate asks: is the Government fit to decide who's fit to work? Watch on ITV at 10:45pm. pic.twitter.com/8JhQIasUO7
— Rob Smith (@robsmithitv) February 7, 2019
Despite his visibly frail appearance, the Department for Work and Pensions repeatedly denied Mr Smith benefits, saying he was fit for work.
In 2017, he failed a work capability assessment, which led to his Employment and Support Allowance benefit being stopped and him being forced to claim Jobseeker's Allowance and visit the job centre once a week, despite not being able to walk long distances.
Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd [Getty Images]
As a result, he had to get a pass out of hospital while he was being treated for pneumonia so he could fight this decision, which he won when the judge backed his appeal, the Liverpool Echo reported.
The DWP then apologised and reinstated his benefits.
His health issues included chronic obstructive pulmonary disease – which affects the lungs – osteoarthritis, and an enlarged prostate which meant he had to use a colostomy bag to use the bathroom.
According to The Guardian, Mr Smith died last Monday and his family was asking for privacy.
The Guardian reported a DWP spokesperson as saying: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of Stephen Smith.
"We are committed to ensuring that people with health conditions get the support they're entitled to."
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