THE victim of an horrific hammer attack which him partially paralysed and emotionally traumatised has been told he is fit to work.
Phil Boulton said he is furious at being classed as a "benefit cheat" following the results of a medical assessment which deemed him no longer entitled to Employment and Support Allowance payments.
He was reassessed by the Department for Work and Pensions almost 11 years after his attack as part of a government scheme to get people back to work.
Hundreds of people across the city on disability benefit are going through the process of reassessment. The 30-year-old has appealed the decision – but said the whole process has brought back all the nightmares from the attack in September 2002 that almost killed him. Phil, currently living in St Thomas, still suffers from flashbacks after being struck on the head with a claw hammer in an unprovoked attack outside the Longbrooke pub in Cowick Street. The blow broke a hole in his skull, damaging the brain.
His attacker Gary Waeling was jailed for eight years after the court heard he wanted revenge on the man who had attacked his son that night, but picked on the wrong man.
After going "code blue" twice in the ambulance, Phil spent three months recovering in hospital. He can't use much of the right side of his body.
He said: "I am disgusted with the benefits agency. I would rather not be on benefits but if I'm entitled I shouldn't have to relive the past and prove to everyone that I am disabled."
Mr Boulton said he has had one temporary job doing admin at the hospital since the attack, but had to leave when the pressure became too much.
He said he hopes to one day return to work but needed to do it in his own time.
He added: "I was told I am not disabled and scored no points after the medical, but I have been disabled for nearly 11 years. I have had to learn to talk and walk and I have had to endure many panic attacks and battled depression.
"I have had physiotherapists trying to get me walking again and have had to wear a brace around my leg since I first left hospital. I am deeply annoyed and angry that I have been classed as a 'benefits cheat' when all I'm trying to do is get back on my feet and slowly rebuild my life.
"It is very, very hard. And this has left me panicking as I am getting behind on my bills."
A DWP spokesperson said they were unable to comment on individual cases, but added: "The old incapacity benefits system condemned too many people to a life on benefits with little hope of moving back to work. Now people who can work will be given help to find a job while those who need unconditional support will get it.
"Since 2010 we have considerably improved the Work Capability Assessment process.
"Everyone has the right to appeal if they disagree with the outcome of their assessment."