A DISABLED man can't afford to buy food or turn on his lights after his benefits were stopped.

Jamie Jones, 46, suffered a heart attack last year but he has not been able to work since a 2004 crash left him with a spinal injury.

The ex-warehouse worker was stripped of his £700 a month benefits, which came from Personal Independence Payments (PIP) and Employment and Support Allowance (ESA), in December.

Jamie, from Stoke-on-Trent, said his lack of money has taken its toll, as he claims he doesn't know "how I'm still alive".

He told the Stoke Sentinel: "I don't know how I'm still alive, I'm wasting away, I've no idea how much longer I can last or when my next meal will be because I'm too weak to walk to foodbanks.

"I've got a roof over my head but I don't think it's going to be for much longer because I can't afford to pay my rent. I'll be homeless. I've been sitting in the dark because I have no electric."

The Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) has claimed it stopped his payments after Jamie asked for a review of his 'eligibility'.

But Jamie said he never requested a review.

He said: "I'm disabled because of a spinal injury following a car accident in 2004 which means I can't walk far and I had a heart attack this time last year.

"The DWP says I asked them to look into my benefits claim - but I didn't. By taking my benefits away they are saying I'm fit for work, but I can't even pick things up off the floor.

"I've been without my PIP since December and I received my last ESA payment in January. I've got no food, no electric, no gas."

He has lodged an appeal against the DWP ruling.

A DWP spokesman said: "We’re committed to ensuring that disabled people get the full support they need and we will be in contact with Mr Jones to provide any assistance he requires.

"Decisions are made following consideration of all the information provided by the claimant, including supporting evidence from their GP or medical specialist.

"Claimants are expected to meet their agreed commitments in return for benefits, ensuring forms are completed and returned."