Lorna Maynard, a 45-year-old mother of two, has spoken out against the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over prolonged delays in her Universal Credit assessment. After suffering a serious fall that caused a carotid artery dissection—a potentially life-threatening tear of a major artery in the neck and a leading cause of stroke in people under 45—Lorna has been left in a frustrating state of uncertainty.
Lorna, who worked at McDonald’s before her injury, took sick leave and submitted the required Work Capability Assessment (WCA50) form in early February. Since then, she says she has been stuck in limbo with no clear resolution. She recounts the terrifying onset of her symptoms: “I was just watching TV, and everything went purple. It felt like I was watching something in 3D. I felt disoriented. A few days later, I went to the opticians to see if it was something to do with my eyes.”
The optician suggested she needed glasses, but her condition worsened. Her left eye began drooping—classic stroke signs—prompting a hospital visit. Scans revealed the artery had ruptured, a serious injury usually linked to trauma such as whiplash or falling from a height.
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Lorna expressed deep frustration over the delay in her Universal Credit assessment. “I’m angry, annoyed, upset. I’ve never asked for anything like this in my life. Then I see people I know getting everything. It just seems unfair. Very unfair.”
Responding to Lorna’s case, a DWP spokesperson said: “We apologise for the delays to Ms Maynard’s case and are working to progress it as quickly as possible. We know waiting for an assessment can be stressful, and we would encourage anyone in a similar situation to speak to their work coach, who can help explain the process and identify any additional support available.”