AN outraged Wordsley pub landlady has vowed to fight “tooth and nail” after her daughter’s disability benefits were withdrawn.

Valerie Kelt, aged 44, has been dependent on her mother Sheila White, landlady at the Samson and Lion pub, for life - having been struck down with a brain tumour when she was just seven months old.

The tumour affected stunted Valerie’s growth and development, left her struggling to walk and with no short term memory.

Her mobility was evaluated in 2000 as, despite various operations, her condition was not expected to improve.

As part of her successful benefits claim, Valerie was provide with Disability Living Allowance, a motability car, and a carers allowance to help pay for activities she takes part in with her live-in carer Marilyn Towler.

But the Department for Work and Pensions re-assessed Valerie in January this year as part of the Government’s new Personal Independence Payment program.

However – in a ‘tick-box’ exercise Valerie was deemed able to complete all basic daily living and mobility tasks and she has been told the heart-breaking news her benefits will stop later this month.

Sheila had been left disgusted by the decision and she is now appealing the ruling, saying she will do whatever she could to fight for her daughter.

She said: “When I received the letter from the DWP I just couldn’t believe it. All I could do was laugh at their answers.

“They say she can plan and accomplish a journey on her own, but she cannot manage on her own. When she goes out of the front door she’ll end up getting lost. It’s just impossible for her to do anything on her own.

“They ask ‘can she walk up to 200 yards aided or unaided?’ and if it boils down to it she can walk up to 200 yards aided but that aid has got to be someone’s arm taking her and holding her.

“Can she do it unaccompanied? Not at all. They’ve changed the wording around and put everything into tick-boxes, but you can’t assess everyone through tick-boxes.

“She is set to lose her car in March, but we have to take her to the QE for her assessments with neurologists, and if we had to go by bus or taxis the cost is not worth thinking about.

“We have until February 20 to appeal, and if it’s still refused then the next stage would be taking it to court. I will bash on the MP’s door, I will fight tooth and nail for Val.

“I’m lucky that I have a lot of support here at the pub. Marilyn is here to look after Val, the barmaids are brilliant with the running of the place, but if it’s down to losing everything - I just don’t know how I would cope.”

Valerie’s disability benefits are due to end on Tuesday February 21, but Sheila is currently waiting for a response from the DWP in relation to her appeal.

The Department for Work and Pensions says it cannot comment on the case while the outcome of an appeal is awaited.

But a DWP spokesman said: “Decisions for PIP are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.

“Anyone that disagrees with a decision can ask us to look at it again, and then appeal to an independent tribunal.”