ANGRY Maureen Longworth had her sickness benefit cut because she kept an anxious vigil at the bedside of her critically ill daughter. Mrs Longworth was told that her excuse for missing a medical review was not good enough. Mrs Longworth, aged 45, of View Street, Daubhill, missed the August meeting because she was more than 30 miles away at her daughter Symone's side in Walton Hospital, Merseyside.

As reported in the BEN, 11-year-old Symone was transferred to the specialist centre with serious head injuries after she fell from a wall.

For five days Symone was on a life support machine. She is now recovering at home but suffers dizzy spells and needs constant attention from her mum.

Mrs Longworth, said: "Would anyone leave their daughter at a time when she was so ill and needed her mum? I don't think any mother would for anything.

"But they have told me it is just not a good enough reason for missing the medical."

With income support and a sickness top-up payment, Mrs Longworth, who has four dependent children, received £72 per week. Now she only gets £56.

A Benefits Agency spokesman said: "We will review Mrs Longworth's case in the light of the circumstances with her daughter. However we must stress that Mrs Longworth must attend her next appointment."

Mrs Longworth has received the top-up sickness benefit because of heavy medication prescribed since the death of her husband.

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