A father-of-four from Shropshire who had his leg amputated as a toddler is fighting to keep his disability support after the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) ordered him to repay £36,000 in benefits.
Benefits Axed After Cricket Match Footage
Shaun Rigby, a 37-year-old sheet metal worker from Telford, lost his leg below the knee in a tractor accident when he was just two years old. He has used a Personal Independence Payment (PIP) since 2016 and was provided with a Motability car three years ago.
However, the DWP launched an investigation into his claim after investigators filmed him playing cricket for Allscott Heath CC in Shropshire. Mr Rigby, a former player for the England disabled cricket team, plays twice a week with the aid of a runner and an umpire who holds his crutch.
"Daily Needs" Misconstrued, Says Family
The DWP used the video as evidence to stop his benefits – around £500 a month – and take away his Motability car. The department stated that his "daily needs" did not require the enhanced payment or the vehicle.
His wife, Lauren Rigby, has now started a petition on Change.org. She argues that the decision misinterprets his participation in adaptive sport. "Playing cricket does not negate Shaun's disability; it showcases his determination to lead a fulfilling life despite it," she wrote.
She emphasised that adaptive sports are a recognised form of rehabilitation and well-being for people with disabilities. The loss of the car, she says, threatens the welfare of their family of six, limiting essential mobility in their semi-rural area.
Petition Calls for Justice and Reassessment
The petition urges the DWP to reassess Shaun's case with proper context, reverse the decision, and allow him to live with dignity. "Your signature can bring attention to the nuanced realities of living with a disability and advocate for justice in the benefits review process," Lauren Rigby's appeal concludes.
The case highlights ongoing tensions between the DWP's assessment processes and the lived experience of disabled individuals striving for an active life.
