To be fair to Richard, the problem may not be legal.

What many people do not appreciate is that the forms for this sort of thing have to be filled out in a certain way. Its the sort of case our Arthritis Support Group in Mansfield used to help 'civilians' out with.

My advice to VT would be this - re-apply on the grounds of changed circumstances. Take your forms off to the Citizens Advice Bureau, and they will put you in touch with someone who understands fully what the forms are trying (in a sub-literate sort of way) to establish.