text: A father who is paralysed from the waist down has been told he can only have a disability grant to adapt his home if his wife gives up her job and goes on benefits. Mike Hand from Haydock in Merseyside became wheelchair bound after being diagnosed with a tumour on his spinal cord. The 39-year-old is almost ready to leave St Helen's Hospital after undergoing surgery and rehabilitation. Mike Hand pictured with his wife Kate, who has been told he can only have a disability grant to adapt his home if his wife gives up work . Mr Hand, left, has been left wheelchair bound after being diagnosed with a tumour on his spine. He now says he needs to make adaptations to his home in Haydock, Merseyside, right . But after he and his wife Kate, who have an eight-year-old daughter called Mia, tried to claim for financial support to adapt their semi-detached home as they have no bathroom downstairs, they were told they weren't eligible. The couple were told that because they don't claim any income support or benefits, they would have to earn 'virtually nothing' to receive the grant. Mrs Hand, a credit manager for a tool hire firm who earns between £25,000 and £35,000, said: 'It's crazy. I understand that benefits need to be means tested and I agree with that. 'But it's not as if we are after ongoing weekly benefits - just funding to help us create a safe and comfortable home for my husband, who has suffered massively through no fault of his own. Mr Hand and his wife were told that because they don't claim any income support or benefits, they would have to earn 'virtually nothing' to receive the grant . 'If I gave up work we could claim for everything and would be entitled to everything, but because I work and would like to continue to work, we get no help. 'We're having to rely on my salary alone to support two adults and a child. At the end of the month there's nothing left. 'It's a classic example of the system working against the worker. They're almost forcing us to stop working and claim off the state.' The couple are wanting to adapt their home to incorporate a downstairs bedroom and bathroom. But they say because they are unable to do this, it is placing a strain on the family. Mrs Hand added: 'We live in a normal semi-detached house. We don't have a bathroom or bedroom downstairs and my husband will be expected to spend all of his time in the family living room with very little dignity or privacy.' Mr Hand, a former construction worker, became wheelchair bound after doctors failed to spot a tumour in his spinal column, despite him regularly visiting his GP at Haydock Medical Centre complaining of pain. He was referred to hospital for a CAT scan when only an MRI scan would have picked up the growth, caused by a build up of spinal fluid, which stretched half the length of his spine. Eventually the tumour was detected after he was finally sent for an MRI scan in July 2014, when complaining that while running he felt as though he couldn't lift his feet off the ground. He then underwent a 10-hour operation to remove the tumour as surgeons described his diagnosis as a 'ticking time bomb'. But due to existing nerve damage and the trauma of the operation, he has been left paralysed from the waist down with doctors unable to say if he will ever walk again. Mr and Mrs Hand on their wedding day. Mr Hand became wheelchair bound after doctors failed to spot a tumour in his spinal column, despite him regularly visiting his GP complaining of pain . His tumour was detected after he was finally sent for an MRI scan in July 2014, after complaining that while running he couldn't lift his feet off the ground . A St Helens Council spokesman said: 'The council is bound by government means test guidelines, which unfortunately put Mr and Mrs Hand's income above the threshold at which they would qualify for assistance. 'Having said that, we want to help - and are exploring other ways of supporting the family, including the possibility of direct payments to assist Mr Hand at home. 'We look forward to discussing these options with them.' Meanwhile a Haydock Medical Centre spokeswoman added: 'We would like to offer our sincere sympathies to the patient at this difficult time. 'It would be inappropriate for us to comment further due to patient confidentiality, however we want to assure patients that we always aim to provide the best possible care.'
target: Mark Hand, 39, was left wheelchair bound due to a tumour on his spine .
  Tried to claim for a disability grant to adapt his house with new bathroom .
  But was told that as his wife Kate works, he wouldn't be entitled to grant .
  Will be expected to spend all of his time in his living room with adaptations .