A CHRONICALLY ill dad killed himself just days before Christmas after his benefits were cut and he was ordered back to work.

Kevin Dooley's family say Employment and Support Allowance was stopped despite a doctor deeming him too unwell to do his job.

His daughter Leanne found him hanged after he lost an appeal.

Kevin, who had worked as a painter and decorator, suffered from breathing problems brought on by chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Leanne, 27, told The Mirror: "Christmas will never be the same for our family. The Department of Work and Pensions should be disgusted with themselves.

"Over the last year Dad's illness got worse, and he got less mobile. Whoever deemed him fit for work is a disgrace."

Dad-of-three Kevin, 48, was signed off work five years ago and had supported himself on the weekly £70 ESA benefit and housing support.

Leanne says he wanted to work but couldn't because of his health — which sent him into a deep depression.

Kevin was questioned at Leeds Centre for Health and Disability Assessments, run by outsourcing company Maximus on behalf of the DWP.

Leanne claims that because Kevin could walk to the shops and occasionally look after his grandchildren, assessors deemed him fit for work.

It was after his appeal that Kevin became suicidal as he feared he would become homeless as he had to reapply for housing support.

He sought confirmation from a doctor that he was too ill to work — which he received — after pressure from Jobcentre staff.

And although Leanne wanted to take her dad's case to a tribunal, she never got the chance.

On December 17, Kevin sent a text to Leanne and twin sisters Paige and Collette, 18, saying he loved them.

He died in hospital three days later after Leanne found him at home.

The Centre for Health and Disability Assessments said: "We make an assessment of how conditions impact on day-to-day life so DWP can make a decision on an individual's eligibility for benefits."

The DWP said a Universal Credit advance payment had been made to Mr Dooley on December 8 following his ESA appeal rejection letter on November 29.

It said his "work requirement" had been turned off because Kevin had told his work coach he would be challenging the appeal decision.

The DWP has been contacted for further comment.