Stephen Smith, a 64-year-old from Liverpool, weighed just 38kg (6 stone) when he died. Despite his frail condition and multiple chronic illnesses, the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ruled him fit for work — forcing him to fight for survival until the very end.
As the government prepares to tighten benefit rules once again, Stephen’s tragic story stands as a chilling reminder of what happens when vulnerable people are failed by the system.
Stephen’s battle for survival
Stephen suffered from chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), osteoporosis, an enlarged prostate, and needed a colostomy bag. He could barely stand, let alone work.
Yet, in 2017, a Work Capability Assessment (WCA) deemed him fit for work. His Employment Support Allowance (ESA) was stopped, and he was told to claim Jobseeker’s Allowance instead — meaning he had to prove he was job-hunting and visit the job centre weekly.
Stephen, who could only manage to cook once a day due to his frailty, described his situation bluntly:
“I had no muscles in the back of my leg, which meant I couldn’t stand up at all and had to lean or sit down all the time — but they were telling me I was fit for work.”
Doctors’ warnings ignored
Two doctors confirmed that Stephen couldn’t walk 20 metres without pain or exhaustion. Their letters were submitted to the DWP, but the department rejected his appeal in January 2018.
Stephen’s health rapidly declined. By December, he was in hospital with pneumonia — so frail that friends feared he wouldn’t survive the winter. Yet, to fight the DWP’s decision, Stephen had to get a pass to leave hospital and attend the tribunal in person.
Faced with Stephen’s shocking condition, the judge overturned the DWP’s decision. Stephen finally won back his ESA — but it came too late.
‘He would still be here today’
Stephen’s friend and benefit advisor, Terry Craven, said Stephen’s case was a direct consequence of a system that punishes the sick and disabled.
“My wife said, ‘If we don’t do something now, he’s not long for this world.’”
After winning his case, Stephen said:
“Without the help of Terry and the team at Casa, I wouldn’t be here today. They saved my life.”
But the victory was short-lived. Stephen died just months later. The back payments owed to him were used to cover his funeral costs.
‘Policy was followed’ — but at what cost?
An internal review into Stephen’s case, ordered by then Work and Pensions Secretary Amber Rudd, concluded that the DWP had “followed policy.”
However, it admitted that crucial safeguarding opportunities were missed. Rudd promised to improve communication between departments and strengthen the safety net for vulnerable claimants — but for Stephen, it was already too late.
Labour’s current plan to cut disability benefits by £5 billion risks repeating this tragedy on a wider scale. Tightening eligibility for Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and cutting the top rate of incapacity benefits could push hundreds of thousands of vulnerable people to the brink.
We cannot let this happen again
Stephen’s story isn’t unique. In 2015, figures showed that nearly 90 people a month were dying after being declared fit for work.
Now, with tougher eligibility rules on the horizon, campaigners fear history is about to repeat itself. As James Taylor from Scope put it:
“Tightening the assessment would be a disastrous move and push hundreds of thousands more disabled people into poverty.”
Stephen Smith’s tragic case shows the devastating human cost of a benefits system that puts savings before lives. The government must learn from his story — before more lives are lost.
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