A FAMILY and MP have called for a probe into the way parts of the benefits system are run after a man born with several disabilities was initially refused extra financial help after an assessment.

Ian Greenwood, 52, of Burnley, has lived with autism, Asperger's and other conditions as well as profound learning and physical disabilities all of his life.

His family said this means he has no motor co-ordination, can’t cook, feed or clean himself and as a result receives disability benefits in the form of a care package from the local authority, Burnley Council, as well as a Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

In January the family had to submit an application to the Department for Work and Pensions to claim for a Personal Independence Payment (PIP), which is replacing DLA, and is a benefit that helps with the extra costs of a long-term health condition or disability for people aged 16 to 64.

The family’s world came ‘shattering down’ however when they were told Ian would not receive the benefit in May after a nurse working for Atos, a company commissioned by the government to do face to face assessments, stated the 52-year-old could cope unaided after examining him 'for less than an hour'.

Mum Marion Greenwood, 78, said: “Ian has no concept of anything. Someone has to be with him at all times. He could not live on his own. It was a ludicrous assessment made by Atos.”

Mother-in-law Anne Bennett, 63, added: “We were totally amazed and gobsmacked. Either she did not believe it or she didn’t read the form correctly. I had no idea what she was thinking.”

The case was raised with Theresa May at the House of Commons by Burnley MP Julie Cooper, during Prime Minister’s Questions on June 13, and a government inquiry was launched into the case.

A senior clinician was appointed to review the medical evidence and a week on the family received a letter in the post informing them Ian was entitled to PIP after all.

Mrs Greenwood added: “The system is flawed and something needs to change. We want to stress social services were extremely good with Ian and I’ve never complained about them or the help we have received from Julie and the team.”

Ms Bennett added: “I worry for other people going through the same problem. The government should look into this.”

Burnley MP Julie Cooper said she was ‘appalled’ at the ‘disgraceful’ treatment of Ian Greenwood.

She said: “Disgracefully my experience shows that Ian’s case is not unusual – virtually every week a similar case comes to my attention.

“So until the government sorts this mess individuals will continue to suffer, I will continue to fight in their corner and a cruel and inefficient system will continue.”

A spokesman for the Department for Work and Pensions said: "We’re committed to ensuring disabled people and people with health conditions get the right support that they need, and in light of new information received as part of a Mandatory Reconsideration, Mr Greenwood will now receive PIP."