A LOCAL pensioner who has to wheel around an oxygen cylinder wherever she goes has had her Personal Independence Payment (P.I.P) slashed from £450 to just £87 a month.

Flo Jones (68), of Neyland, appeared in court on Wednesday last week (Oct 5) as part of a tribunal to appeal her P.I.P being drastically cut; her appeal was refused.

Having suffered from Bronchitis since childhood, Flo was forced to undergo an operation in 1977 which involved the removal of half of her left lung.

In 2006, she experienced further set back after being diagnosed with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (C.O.P.D). It was around this time that her pneumonia became considerably worse. Flo also suffers from arthritis in her shoulders.

P.I.P is a new scheme brought in by the government to replace the Disability Living Allowance (DLA) scheme. Flo had previously received a higher rate of DLA for over 25 years.

Describing her ability to undergo day-to-day tasks as ‘minimal’, Flo has to regularly stop to rest when she does attempt to leave the house, while household chores such as cleaning and ironing are off bounds entirely.

Flo, who has never smoked, said: “I just want to put it out there that I’m fighting for what I’m entitled to.”

Support for Flo on social media has been widespread since her appearance in court last week.

Speaking of the tribunal, Flo said: “The doctor was trying to catch me out, asking what painkillers I take.”

Flo said the doctor likely knew that the only form of painkiller she is able to take is paracetamol.

Spending most of the day by herself, Flo no longer has the option of a carer after being downgraded to ‘medium mobility’ on the new P.I.P scheme.

She said: “My husband works full-time and when he gets home, he helps me.”

Flo was born in June 1948. If she had been born just two months earlier in April, she would have been exempt from re-assessment.

Speaking about the possibility of appealing again, Flo said: “I don’t think I’d have the strength to do it; six months I’ve had to go through this.”