An autistic woman unable to wash or dress herself without help faces having her care cut under the controversial PIP scheme.

Lizzie Graham, who also suffers from dyspraxia and crippling anxiety, has been deemed as having no care needs under the government funding initiative - despite only just learning how to wash her own hair.

The 30-year-old lives in an assisted living facility and receives support from East Kent Mencap (EKM), paid for by personal independence payments (PIP), introduced in 2013 to replace the Disability Living Allowance benefit.

But her mother Suzanne Graham-Beer, of Abbey Gardens in Canterbury, says her daughter could see £300 slashed a month from this funding after an assessment concluded she had no needs.

Without it, the 62-year-old retired teacher warns Lizzie will struggle to live independently and could be a danger to herself.

“She can’t even put her own bra on and can just about make a microwave meal - although she almost caused a fire at my house,” says Ms Graham-Beer.

“Her self-care has always been poor and within the last month an occupational therapist has had to teach her how to wash her hair.

"She struggles with social and communication skills and I have to read letters and put them in a simple format for her.

“Her anxiety levels are so high at the moment, she’s been vomiting and doesn’t want to spend a night alone.

"I need to increase her support yet we may be left with it being cut.”

Lizzie receives help from EKM at her home in Ramsgate Road in Broadstairs.

"Cutting her funding could endanger the safety of a woman struggling to be independent" - Suzanne Graham-Beer

Ms Graham-Beer says the decision followed an assessment lasting just 30 minutes.

“Cutting her funding could endanger the safety of a woman struggling to be independent,” she said.

PIP, which replaced the DLA to help people with a long-term condition or disability, has been plagued with problems.

Thousands turned down for the benefit have had the decision overturned following independent tribunals.

Ms Graham Beer vowed to take the matter to court if it is not resolved.

“Lizzie had a 30-minute assessment with a girl just out of college,” she said.

“She prompts you with answers that fit her software. If you don’t give an answer they want, they prompt again so the whole thing is much milder and very different from the original response.

“The whole exercise is framed to fit their preconceived framework rather than the reality of the individual.

"A client may be suffering acute anxiety to the point of vomiting, but as she doesn’t display that in the 30-minute window, any claim or letter from a specialist is dismissed.

“PIP was brought in to get rid of 'scroungers' but it’s vulnerable people who are being targeted.”

A DWP spokesman said: “We’ve apologised to Ms Graham-Beer for any confusion around her daughter’s PIP claim.”

A spokesman for Independent Assessment Services said the case is being reviewed.