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The parents of a teenage ­quadruple amputee have accused benefits bosses of being “heartless” for threatening to stop his money.

Edward Bright lost his arms and legs to meningitis, aged seven, and his family have since claimed £388-a-month Disability Living Allowance on his behalf.

After he turned 16 last month, the wheelchair-bound youngster had to claim again for the Personal Independence Payment, which has replaced DLA.

The family filled in a form saying he needed help with almost all aspects of his daily life, but were shocked to get a letter ordering him to attend a face-to-face meeting or risk losing his benefits.

(Image: David Marsden/ Page One)

Furious dad Steve, 47, said: “It’s­ absolutely disgusting. He’s a quad amputee for God’s sake.

“It isn’t like he’s going to get better. He isn’t going to suddenly grow new arms and legs. We were shocked to be asked to attend the meeting.

Read more:Petition to make meningitis vaccine available to all

“They know full well the extent of his disabilities. They have no hearts.”

Mum Clare, of Ripley, Derbys, added: “We assumed his case would be treated as exceptional given the fact he has had his legs and arms amputated.

“So we were horrified and disgusted to get the letter saying he needed to do the assessment.

“They wanted him to go to Derby and even gave instructions on how to walk to the office from the station. He’s in a wheelchair waiting for an operation in April. He can’t walk. It’s a shambles.”

Clare, 46, who is separated from Steve, rang and complained to Capita – the firm that assesses ­claimants for the Government.

Bosses then backtracked and arranged for staff to visit Edward’s home to carry out the assessment.

(Image: Worldwide Features)

Clare, a medical secretary, said she was told Edward would get interim payments while being assessed.

But she claims no money has gone into her son’s account since January.

She said: “I rang them and they said they needed proof it hadn’t gone in.

"So I have literally had to take Edward to the bank to get statements, which they’re now looking at.”

(Image: Worldwide Features)

Last night the Department for Work and Pensions insisted the interim payments had been paid.

It admitted it made a “mistake” on the assessment and he would no longer need an ­interview.

A statement said: “In this instance a paper-based assessment has been completed and there is no need for a face-to-face assessment.”

Dad Steve, who works in retail, said: “If they made a mistake with my son’s case, how many other mistakes are they making?”

(Image: Worldwide Features)

Edward, who is studying for GCSEs, is due to hear the result of his claim in the next few days.

He fell ill in February 2007, initially with a sore throat. He was admitted to hospital when purple blotches appeared on his skin.

Doctors ­diagnosed meningococcal meningitis with ­septicaemia and it was thought he would ­not survive.

Edward’s legs were destroyed by blood poisoning, and amputated while he was in a coma.

Both arms were later removed below the ­elbow and large amounts of skin were ­also damaged.

(Image: David Marsden/ Page One)

His twin brother William survived the same disease as a baby. Clare said she had previously had a positive ­experience with benefits staff.

She added: “That’s what has upset us so much about this PIP assessment request. There’s been no compassion.”

Last year the High Court ruled Iain Duncan Smith unlawfully left disabled people waiting months for benefits.

Mrs Justice Patterson found his Department for Work and Pensions took an “unlawful and unacceptably long time” to support claimants.