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A single mum-of-three claims she was told she 'didn't have cancer enough' to qualify for PIP benefits.

Katie Larn went to the doctors thinking she had a chest infection, but was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma in November last year after doctors spotted shadows on her lung.

"I thought it would be scarring or something from before, but then I was diagnosed with cancer," she told Leicestershire Live.

"It was a complete shock, all I could think about was the boys. I was so worried about them.

"I shut down and just couldn't think about anything, it felt like it was happening to someone else."

Katie, 29, immediately began treatment, including regular chemotherapy sessions.

She applied for Personal Independence Payments (PIP), a benefit designed to help people cope with some of the extra costs of long term ill-health or disability.

"A friend of mine mentioned that I might be able to get some extra help, so I looked into it and applied," she explained.

"I was incurring expenses travelling to and from appointments, and I thought some extra money could help with childcare when my family couldn't help me or when I needed to rest after chemo.

"I also bought wigs, which weren't cheap. As soon as I started treatment my hair started to go so I just shaved it off."

Soon after she submitted her application, an assessor from the DWP visited her at her home in Braunstone, Leicestershire.

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Katie, who breeds snakes as a hobby, said: "She asked me loads of questions. I showed her doctors letters and everything that I'd had from the hospital. "

But six weeks later she says she received a letter saying the application had been unsuccessful and she did not qualify for the benefit.

Katie continued: "I'd only had one session of chemotherapy then and it was before I'd lost my hair and the steroids had taken effect, which made me put weight on.

"I can't help thinking they must have thought I looked alright so I can't have been that bad.

"I rang up to query it expecting that there might have been a mistake made.

"The man on the phone was really good and explained things to me. I asked him, 'so basically I haven't got cancer enough?' and he said yes, and that I didn't have enough points to be considered.

"He said my options were either to appeal or accept the decision."

Katie recently found out she is now in remission, something she said was a "huge relief" and the "best news".

She added: "I know that I am in remission now, but the point is that this benefit designed to help people in my situation wasn't there when I needed it.

"You always read about people scamming the system and it's not right that genuine cases do go without help.

"There were days when I couldn't get out of bed, I was so poorly and in so much pain.

"I do receive other benefits, but that shouldn't come into it when it comes to having cancer.

"I have worked since I left school and only stopped when I had my youngest son, and as soon as he is at school I will work again."

A spokesperson for the DWP said: "We are committed to ensuring that people with health conditions get the support they needed, which is why PIP examines how a person's condition impacts them on a daily basis.

"Decisions are made based on all the information that's available to us at the time, including evidence from a claimant's GP or medical specialist.

"Anyone can appeal a decision to a free independent tribunal, or can apply for the benefit again if their condition changes.

"Ms Larn continues to receive income support and other benefits while awaiting the outcome of her PIP appeal."

Katie is now waiting for a tribunal date.