A MOTHER is being forced to sell her house after an allowance she receives for her disabled son was suddenly withdrawn.

The Northwich woman, who does not wish to be identified, has received a Living Disability Allowance for the past 10 years.

It gives her a car, which she uses to transport her teenage son to regular hospital appointments in Owestry in Shropshire, Alder Hey in Liverpool and Leighton Hospital.

Her child only has one leg, which is deformed, he has chronic breathing difficulties, behavioural difficulties and muscle spasms. Now his mother has had to give the car up and she is desperate.

She said: "I've given up my career to care for our son.

"The invalid care allowance of £43 a week isn't much but it helped.

"Now we have lost the car, the finance and the blue badge. I am going to have to put the house on the market."

The woman said that in the past, before she received the allowance, she used to drive an old car but it was unreliable and caused problems when it would not start, leaving her stranded in emergencies.

She added: "I have been ill for the past two weeks, ever since the letter arrived telling me the allowance was to stop.

"I am absolutely devastated and appalled and don't know what I am going to do. To stop it is ludicrous and it hasn't just happened to me.

"I know of other families who have had this allowance withdrawn."

The woman has sent a seven-page letter appealing against the decision, which has been backed up by seven consultants who are treating the teenager.

Dennis Duffy, from the Disablity Living Allowance's chief executive's office, said: "I cannot comment on individual cases. The only reason someone would have their allowance withdrawn is if they don't satisfy the criteria and their circumstances change."

The woman added: "Nothing has changed. What has changed? Has my son suddenly grown a leg?"

vkandel@guardiangrp.co.uk