A DISABLED teenager says she was left high and dry when her washing machine broke down.
Hayley Griggs had asked for a crisis loan from the Department of Social Security after the washer flooded and its drum broke.
To date, the DSS has refused to grant her any money and told her to wash her clothes by hand.
But the 19-year-old, from Denbigh Court in Stanney, has the bone-wasting disease osteoporosis and finds it hard to do things with her hands.
She says she'd love to start work, and thus raise enough to pay for the repairs, but she needs a fortnight off every month due to severe illness.
Hayley explained: 'As well as the osteoporosis, I suffer from problems as a result of being born with two wombs.
'Every month I need to have a fortnight off because it makes me so ill.
'I can't get a job, I can't wash my clothes by hand, there are no local launderettes and I am on my own, so I have no family or friends to help out.'
She added: 'I don't think the DSS is being fair with me. They don't seem to care.
'It has now been more than three weeks without the washer being repaired.
'I have applied for a community care grant and a crisis loan, but the DSS says this isn't a crisis.'
A spokesman for the DSS, based in Northwich, said: 'It is important for customers to provide all relevant details to us when applying for a loan or grant.
'The original information Hayley provided was bland. She has now given us more information about her circumstances and has been invited into our offices for an interview.
'Hopefully, we'll be able to get everything sorted out.'
The spokesman added that many different types of grants are available in these circumstances.
And he said: 'Hayley has the right to ask for a full explanation as to why her original application was turned down.
'She can ask for a review of the decision and this can go to an independent tribunal.'
