THE Department for Work and Pensions is to repay money owed to a woman with an incurable condition after The National highlighted her plight.

Antonia Palmer has a rare genetic condition which causes tumours and mobility problems among other issues. It is thought to affect just one in every 250,000 people and she knows of no-one else in Scotland with the diagnosis.

Once a careers advisor at Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt universities, she was forced to give up work as her health worsened and takes daily medication to battle chronic pain.

But earlier this summer, assessors for the DWP decided to reduce the amount she receives in Personal Independence Payments (PIP).

Entering a battle to save her entitlement, the Edinburgh woman said the issue was causing her stress and anxiety – factors which could trigger a downturn in her health.

The condition, Cowden’s disease with L’Hermitte-Duclos, leaves her predisposed to cancer and she has undergone numerous surgeries.

Despite asking the DWP to reconsider her case in July, Palmer had received no response when this newspaper revealed her story yesterday.

But just hours after publication, the 47-year-old received a phone call from the DWP to tell her that the decision had been reversed. And not only will Palmer be paid back the money she is owed, but the DWP said it would make her PIP award indefinite, reducing the need for regular benefits reassessments.

Following the “out of the blue” call, Palmer said: “I’m made-up, it’s amazing. I told them ‘you’ve made my day’.

“They said: ‘I’m really sorry, the money should never have been taken away.’”

The change will restore the mobility element of Palmer’s PIP entitlement to the highest level of £61.20 per week. Used to cover transport costs, it had been slashed to £23.20.

Dr Sally Witcher of Inclusion Scotland commented: “This is fantastic news and I’m delighted for Antonia. It goes to show that having the courage to speak out can bring about positive change.

“But my question is why was she put through all this in the first place? Do you have to get your story published in a major newspaper in order to get the benefits that are rightfully yours? Unfortunately, justice for one person does nothing to change the fundamental flaws within the PIP assessment process and the nightmarish ordeal that so many people have to go through to claim it.”

Palmer’s MP Deidre Brock added: “I’m delighted that Antonia won her case and that she’ll now get the money she needs to live.

“She should never have had to go through this, though, and the system needs to be changed to make sure that other folk don’t suffer.

“It’s quite right that this has been sorted but it’s time to sort the system and restore some sense of common human decency and dignity to it.”

A DWP spokesperson stated: “We have reviewed Ms Palmer’s assessment and have been in touch to tell her that she will now be paid the highest rate of PIP benefits. Her other benefit payments continue to be paid in full.

“Assessments are carried out by medical professionals, but every claimant has the right to request a reconsideration if they disagree with the decision.”