A MAN who claims he was refused a loan to buy a cooker and told to eat cold food has won his appeal against the DSS.

George Hargreaves of Duckworth Street, Darwen, asked Department of Social Security for a crisis loan to buy a cooker.

He lives above a shop dealing in second hand cookers and wanted £50 to buy one.

His loan was refused and when he asked why, he claims he was told he could eat cold food.

He said: "I couldn't believe it so I appealed against the decision and now I have received a letter saying the loan should have been granted because of health reasons."

Mr Hargreaves suffers from alcoholism and substance abuse and is registered for incapacity benefits.

When he moved into the flat two months ago there was a cooker but it was destroyed in a fire.

Mr Hargreaves claimed he needed cooked meals because of his health but that eating out would be too expensive.

He added: "I feel I was discriminated against because I am a single person without children and therefore the DSS felt they had no obligation to pay me any money for a cooker."

Mr Hargreaves has now applied for a community care grant to pay for his cooker.

A spokesman for the DSS said they cannot comment on individual cases because of client confidentiality. He said: "There is no discrimination as each application is judged on its own merits regardless of who applies. A crisis loan is an interest free loan from the Social Fund which is made in an emergency when it is the only means by which a risk to the health and safety of the customer can be alleviated.

"All other means of sorting out the problem have to have been considered.

"As long as the request fits the criteria an applicant will be given a written decision on request.

"If they are not happy with the decision they can ask for a review. The case will be looked at again and a fresh decision issued.

"In this case it looks like the customer has provided extra information or something has changed so that a successful review decision was given."

Crisis loans are subject repayment and conditions will be set up whereby Mr Hargreaves repays the £50 in a reasonable period.