Army veteran with PTSD lives on just £8 a week under Universal Credit after being deemed ‘fit to work’ Daniel Johnson, 45, said: ‘When I’ve reached out for help from the country I served – I’m being told ‘no sorry, its tough luck’

An army veteran has condemned the government’s Universal Credit rules after being forced to live on just £8 a week.

Former combat medic Daniel Johnson has been struggling to survive since July after the six-in-one benefit left him with just £32 a month spare.

The 45-year-old, who served with the Royal Army Medical Corps, picks up weekly payments of £155 – but £147 of it is used to cover bills and accommodation, leaving just £8 each week for food, clothing, and other essentials.

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Injured at work

Mr Johnson of Leomister, Herefordshire, was forced to start claiming the handout after being injured at work on October 31 last year and losing his home as a result.

The Department for Work and Pensions had since claimed he is fit to work despite him suffering from severe neck pain and being diagnosed with PTSD.

This week he donned his army gear to stage a one-man protest outside Leominster Job Centre to voice his anger at Universal Credit rules and the way military personnel are treated after leaving the forces.

The dad-of-three said: “Its outrageous – the Government is expecting me to live on £8 a week.

“I have been living like this since June this year and it makes me feel worthless. Nobody who served their country should be treated like this.

“They are superseding a consultant, a GP and mental health professionals who are saying I’m unfit for work.

He said he had an A4 folder full of doctor’s notes proving he could not work.

“I’m still taking very high doses of morphine, no-one taking that much morphine would be fit for work let alone with PTSD issues I’ve been diagnosed with.

“How am I going to live on £8 a week especially at this time of year.

“When I’ve reached out for help from the country I served – I’m being told ‘no sorry, its tough luck’.”

Became a lorry driver

Mr Johnson had taken on extra casual work as a lorry driver after the cold weather last year affected his garden maintenance business.

But an insecure load from one of the lorries fell on top of him – leaving him with three fractured vertebra in his neck.

Mr Johnson was also diagnosed with PTSD in 2006 after serving with the army for seven years and remains under the care of mental health professionals.

He added: “I set up my own gardening business after leaving the army in 2004.

“When the weather was bad last year I had to get another job to help make ends meet – so I became a lorry driver before my accident happened.”

“During the health assessment I had in June this year they asked me questions like, ‘can I stand unaided?’, ‘can I sit unaided?’ and ‘can I make a cup of tea unaided?’

Despite not being able to he said his military background pushed him to try and “get on with it”.

“From that test I was only entitled to the most basic amount of payment.

“The money I receive goes on bills such as the gas, electric, water, service charges, TV license and that would all be before the basics such as food, toiletries and clothing.

“You spend an hour on the phone just trying to get through to someone at the Department for Work and Pensions – which is why I went down to the job centre to protest.”

Backed by ex-mayor

Ex-mayor of Hereford and former paratrooper, Jim Kenyon, 49, has now taken up Daniel’s case in a bid to help his fellow serviceman.

He said: “The problem is that decisions are made in government offices, and its people at the front line who take the brunt of it.

“Universal credit pushed him over the edge. I’m an army veteran myself so I know what it’s like for these guys.

“I see him pretty much everyday to see how he’s getting on and I hope he is not on Universal Credit for much longer.”

A DWP spokesperson said: “We’re committed to ensuring that disabled people get the full support that they need. Assessments work well for the vast majority of people, but one person’s poor experience is one too many, and we’re committed to continuously improving the process for people so that they get the support they need.

“Decisions are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.

“People who are unhappy with their decision can appeal”.