PRIVATE contractor Atos Healthcare carries out disability assessments on behalf of the Department for Work and Pensions.
To be eligible for Employment and Support Allowance, someone with a health condition or disability needs to score at least 15 points in an assessment of their capability for work.
Jamie, who has had muscular dystrophy for more than 20 years, was "surprised" to be awarded zero points.
This was despite a healthcare professional observing him "sit for 35 minutes, have slight difficulty rising but did not need physical assistance from another person, stand for four minutes with some difficulty but did not need any assistance, walk 20 metres, slowly, to the examination room ... and get onto the couch with some difficulty".
The assessor concluded: "The evidence indicates Mr Maxwell would have no significant problems with mobilising 200m or remaining in one place combining standing and sitting for at least one hour. I have therefore not awarded any points for these descriptors."
The assessor's report concluded that "Mr Maxwell would have no significant problems with reaching either of his hands above his head".