AN UNEMPLOYED man suffering from a crippling skin complaint has blasted the benefits agency for refusing to accept he is unfit for work.

Donald Andrew Taylor, a 32-year-old, has suffered severe psoriasis for over five years, and claims the condition makes it impossible for him to work.

The peeling rash covers his and causes a lot of discomfort and pain.

And Donald, of Warwick Close, Church, was left penniless when his benefit books were taken off him when he went to claim his income support from the post office.

Mr Taylor, who lives with girlfriend Michelle Lewis and their three children, has been told he will not get any more money until the case has been heard by an appeal tribunal. "The whole thing is just pathetic, they say I am fit for work but I can hardly even walk because I have the rash all down my legs," said Donald.

"I am trained as a chef but there is no way anyone would let me cook food."

He added: "I am not interested in disability allowance or anything like that.

"All I want is enough money for me and my kids to live on, I am not asking for anything extra or any special treatment.

"When I went to the post office they took the books off me and I was told them I can't have them back until after the appeal.

"I have absolutely no money and I no idea of when I will get the books back.

"When I went to the DSS it seemed like they couldn't care less about me."

A spokesperson for the Benefits Agency said: "Any person who has failed the old fit for work test will have to return their book for adjustment.

"If a customer feels they are not fit for work they have to right to appeal, but it is not possible to say how long the process would take.

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