A "frightened" teenager was told to travel on a bus to be assessed nearly 20 miles away from home to prove he is autistic or face losing vital benefits.

Ethan Boffin, of Melbourne Avenue, Ramsgate, was diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome aged seven and attends Laleham Gap School in Margate.

The 16-year-old received a disability living allowance which helped with support and his development.

But after his birthday in August, Ethan was classed by the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP) as a young adult, meaning his previous benefit transferred to the controversial Personal Independent Plan (PIP) scheme.

Mum Annie, 44, says she thought the process would be straightforward as Ethan has an educational health plan in place, but was shocked to learn he would require an assessment.

She said: “Ethan is no good with money so I had to sign to look after it for him.

"He was asked to travel to Canterbury to be assessed to prove he is autistic.

“This has caused a lot of distress and anxiety, he was frightened, how do you expect a person with autism to prove they have autism when they have trouble understanding the world around them and have great difficulty finding the right words to say to explain themselves?

"How do you expect a person with autism to prove they have autism when they have trouble understanding the world around them and have great difficulty finding the right words to say to explain themselves?" - Annie Boffin

"Ethan struggles with that and it isn’t fair.”

Annie, who is also mum to seven-year-old Melissa, says although the assessor was kind, the family should never have been asked to go through it in the first place.

She said: “The assessment went OK and the lady interviewing us was lovely. It’s the whole system.

"He will always have autism and to travel from Ramsgate to Canterbury to prove it was awful.

"It is upsetting because he uses that money for extra support at home and he has been thriving.

"Without this money, we won’t be able to afford it anymore.”

A spokesman from the DWP says DLA remains for children but that a PIP assessment is necessary at age 16 to ensure people receive the correct support - which could mean extra money.