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When her story hit the headlines, people across the country were outraged.

Hazel Macrae has been blind since birth but was told by the Department for Work and Pensions she was fit to work.

In October 2017, Hazel came into out office heartbroken and looking for help after being told she'd need to find work at the age of 62.

Charities, actors and politicians came out in support of Hazel, saying the system needs to be reviewed and that the story echoed award winning movie I, Daniel Blake.

Her story was shared thousands of times and our readers and, thankfully, the DWP made a dramatic u-turn and reversed its decision and Hazel won her appeal.

(Image: NCJ Media)

Newcastle was the first city chosen to introduce Universal Credit in full. Since then, there have been calls for the system to be scrapped as reports of families being plunged into poverty surfaced.

Now, 131,000 people in the North East are now claiming the controversial benefit and Hazel's story was just the tip of the iceberg.

The DWP has insisted Universal Credit is a "force for good" with 2.2 million people now being supported by the benefit, giving people help if they are unemployed, low-paid or unable to work.

We have had residents from across the region contacting us, sharing their heartbreaking stories about their horrific experiences of the benefit system.

From a grandmother with terminal cancer being told she can't receive benefits, while a woman was forced to walk 13 miles to work after being left with no money.

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These are some of the stories we have shared:



Debra Barrass

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Debra Barrass, 47, has advanced emphysema and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), meaning she suffers from shortness of breath.

The condition is so advanced that Debra can barely talk and basic tasks leave her breathless.

Diagnosed in 2010, Debra was receiving Employment Support Allowance (ESA) and Personal Independent Payment (PIP) but was asked to attend a mandatory work capability assessment.

Despite the debilitating condition Debra, of Wallsend, was deemed fit to work by the Department for Work and Pensions and had her benefits stopped.

Debra, who relies on three inhalers each days, says she was receiving £220 per fortnight on ESA and £300 once a month on PIP.

The situation has left her suffering from anxiety and depression and she says she's never felt so jaded.

Read the full story here.

Christopher Sayers

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Christopher Sayers, 19, had been receiving Universal Credit, but after finding a new job told the Department for Work and Pensions he no longer needed to claim the benefit.

The Wallsend teen was initially told he would need to repay £360.82 in overpayments.

After paying back the cash, Chris' mum, Joanne Sayers, said a letter was sent in the post to her son saying he was dead and the money had been refunded - despite him being alive and well.

Read the full story here.

Kirsty Minott

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Kirsty Minott, of Bedlington, Northumberland claims a mix up after returning from maternity leave meant her housing benefit and council tax reduction were stopped.

But when she tried to reapply, the 31-year-old says she was told she would have to apply for Universal Credit instead.

As she waits for the claim to be processed, Kirsty has been left with just £2.60 to feed herself and her children, aged four and two, for two weeks.

Kirsty's rent arrears spiralled and she had to walk from her Bedlington home to work at Morrisons in Morpeth - a 13 mile round trip - because she couldn't afford the £6.80 bus fare.

Read the full story here.

Craig Perkins

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Craig Perkins, 43, lived on the streets down south before moving to the North East two years ago and eventually managing to find a home.

Last year, Craig, from Newcastle, signed onto Universal Credit one year ago and after paying his essential bills he's left with just £10.

As he searched for a job, Craig said that he couldn't survive without the benefit but says it has been hard.

Read the full story here.

Denise Bates

(Image: Terri Bates)

Denise Bates, 50, battled ovarian cancer four years ago but was given the heartbreaking news the disease had returned at the start of the year.

Tragically, doctors told the mum-of-five and grandmother-of-seven that the disease was at stage four and there was nothing they could do.

Denise, of Hazlerigg, Newcastle, has been receiving palliative chemotherapy, has a palliative nurse and is now in a wheelchair.

The mum-of-five and grandmother-of-seven had been receiving benefits but after undergoing a mandatory reconsideration for Personal Independent Payment (PIP) was told she didn't qualify for it.

She was left with just £6 a week to live off after having her benefits stopped.

Read the full story here.

John Hinds

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

John, of Consett,County Durham, is facing life in a wheelchair and slammed the DWP after being forced to wait more than 15 months for a tribunal after being refused benefits.

He has received Disability Living Allowance (DLA) benefits for a number of health problems including osteoarthritis, anxiety, depression and curvature of the spine, which will eventually result in him being in a wheelchair.

When the 53-year-old underwent a mandatory reassessment to move to Personal Independent Payment (PIP) the Department for Work and Pensions said he would not be entitled to the benefit.

After an appeal against the decision was rejected, John applied for a tribunal with the Ministry of Justice, which runs the hearings, but had not heard anything since April last year.

Read full story here.

Darryl Nicholson

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

Doctors have told Darryl Nicholson his chronic lung condition could kill him within two years.

The 47-year-old has stage three emphysema - a form of chronic obstructive pulmonary - that causes the destruction of the lungs and means he struggles with daily tasks such as shortness of breath, wheezing and fatigue.

Darryl, of Kenton,Newcastle, who also has bronchitis asthma, anxiety and depression, was able to live with the condition before becoming too ill to work.

He was receiving Employment Support Allowance (ESA) but after attending a mandatory work capability assessment the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) deemed him fit for working.

Darryl, who tragically lost his wife to cancer, underwent a mandatory reconsideration which was rejected and he is now awaiting a tribunal.

While on ESA, Darryl received £474 per month directly into his bank account.

But after being put on to Universal Credit his money has been halved, receiving just £236 per month.

Read the full story here.

Pat Higgins

(Image: newcastle chronicle)

Pat Higgins worked most of her adult life but was forced to give up her part-time job in a pharmacy after her health started to deteriorate.

The 64-year-old suffers from multiple sclerosis, which affects the brain and spinal cord, and osteoporosis - a condition that weakens the bones, making them fragile and more likely to break.

Pat, of Benton, Newcastle, now struggles to walk and uses a wheelchair on a daily basis.

Initially, she received a high rate of care and mobility components as part of her Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

But Pat was told to apply for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and undergoing a mandatory assessment, she was no longer entitled to the benefits she had been receiving.

She said her benefits were halved and her car was taken away, leaving her struggling to pay her rent.

Read the full story here.

Sheila Nesbitt

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

When Sheila Nesbitt was asked what change you would get from £1 if you spent 75p, she didn't know the answer.

It was one of the questions the 58-year-old was asked during a reassessment for benefit claim.

But, the assessor thought that she was able to work out a complex budget and the Department for Work and Pensions deemed her fit for work.

Sheila, of Gateshead, had her benefits moved from Employment Support Allowance to Universal Credit - despite the fact she has learning disabilities and can't read, write, use a computer or do basic maths.

After being moved to Universal Credit, Sheila lost £100 per week and has struggled to balance her budget. She is now behind on paying her rent.

After ending up in rent arrears and struggling financially, Sheila was forced to rely on Gateshead Foodbank.

Read the full story here.

Harry Dent

(Image: Newcastle Chronicle)

When bailiffs turned up at Harry Dent's Gateshead home to take his furniture, it was the lowest point of his life.

In rent arrears after being moved to Universal Credit, they took his household items, including a TV, dryer and tablet, leaving him with his bed.

Harry can't read, write or use a computer but was told by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) that he should return to work after being reassessed.

The stress of changing to Universal Credit has left Harry feeling suicidal.

Under the new system, the housing benefit element is paid direct to the individual rather than the landlord, and via a monthly rather than fortnightly instalment, which Harry did not understand.

In a bid to address his financial problems, he took out an advanced payment of £750 but is now having to pay it back out of his benefits each month.

He is left with around £50 per week to pay for his bills and buy food, leaving him to choose between heating his home and eating.

Read the full story here.