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A chronically ill dad killed himself days before Christmas after DWP staff ordered him back to work.

Assessors stopped Kevin Dooley’s employment support allowance even though a doctor said he was too sick to do his job.

His daughter Leanne found him hanged after the painter and decorator, who suffered breathing problems caused by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, lost an appeal.

She said: “Christmas will never be the same for our family. The Department for Work and Pensions should be disgusted with themselves.

“Over the last year Dad’s illness got worse, and he got less mobile. Whoever deemed him fit for work is a disgrace.”

Dad-of-three Kevin, 48, was signed off five years ago and made ends meet on a £70-a-week ESA benefit and housing support. “He wanted to work, but couldn’t,” said Leanne, 27.

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She told how her dad plunged into depression after a grilling at Leeds Centre for Health and Disability Assessments, run by outsourcing firm Maximus for the DWP.

“He needed regular haematology appointments and was on three inhalers, steroids and antibiotics,” said the mum of two.

“But because he could walk to the shop and at times minded his grandkids, they said he could work.”

After his appeal failed, Kevin became suicidal. Leanne said: “He worried he’d be homeless as he had to reapply for housing support. He said he thought taking his life was the only way out.”

As Jobcentre staff pressured him, Kevin saw a doctor who confirmed he was too ill to work.

Leanne planned to help him take his case to a tribunal – but on December 17 she and twin sisters Paige and Collette, 18, received a text from their dad saying “I love you”.

Leanne found him at home. He died in hospital three days later.

She now plans to tell an inquest about her dad’s ordeal. “He took his life because of what they did to him,” she said.

The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments said: “We make an assessment of how conditions impact on day-to-day life so DWP can make a decision on an individual’s eligibility for benefits.”

The DWP said a Universal Credit advance payment had been made to Mr Dooley on December 8 after the ESA appeal rejection letter on November 29.

It said his “work requirement” had been turned off because he told his work coach he would be challenging the appeal decision.

If you need to speak to someone, Samaritans are available 24/7 by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org