A young man who has overcome severe challenges including autism, epilepsy and dyspraxia to be living independently and working full time says his experience of applying for benefits makes him fear for thousands of others.
The 24-year-old, who does not wish to be named or pictured, had to battle the Department for Work and Pensions all the way to an independent tribunal earlier this year in a claim for Personal Independence Payment.
He had been in receipt of Disability Living Allowance since childhood because of the range and severity of his conditions, but he says he faced real barriers when changing over to PIP, despite support from his mother, a professional psychotherapist, and retired solicitor Mike Bowden.
