THE battle over the level of benefit payments Paralympic athlete Rhiannon Barber should receive looks set to continue.

The 17-year-old was overjoyed after winning a 13-month battle two weeks ago at Llandrindod Magistrates Court which ruled that she was entitled to receive the higher rate of Personal Independence Payment (PIP), inline with what she was received as a child under the old Disability Living Allowance (DLA).

But, the Christ College student has been left reeling after she received a letter from HM Courts and Tribunal Service informing her that they were considering appealing the decision.

The long-jumper, who trains with the Disability Sport Academy team, exclusively told the Brecon and Radnor that on Monday she opened a letter which has left her angry and upset.

Rhiannon, from Ffynon Dewi, Llanfaes, said: "The letter from PIP says that they are requesting the court’s reasons for awarding me my benefits. They have also stated that they will not be giving me the additional payments that the court said I was entitled to."

We revealed last week that despite Rhiannon being awarded the higher rate of DLA for 16 years, when she turned 16 and had to apply for the new PIP payments, she was told that she was no longer entitled to the benefit which helps her live as independent a life as possible.

Her left arm is partially paralysed due to Left Erbs Palsy, meaning she has to carryout a rigorous exercise regime to be able to carryout the day-to-day tasks, such as picking up objects, cooking and brushing her hair, that most of us take for granted. She has undergone scores of operations over the years and is susceptible to injury.

Despite qualifying for the paralympic team after several specialists placed her disability in the same category as a full arm amputee, the Department for Work and Pensions have based their assessments on a report, which Rhiannon says did not reflect the assessment she received at home when she initially applied for PIP.

"I got really upset talking to the assessor," said Rhiannon. "But in the report she said I appeared happy and calm. How could she say that when I was in tears telling her about the things I struggle with? I have been assessed by specialists who understand Erbs Palsy to qualify for the Paralympic Team. These experts put me in the F46 category, the same classification as a full arm amputee. But this woman didn’t understand my needs."

The gloves are off following the recent developments, with Rhiannon vowing to fight the DWP if they launch the appeal. To gain support, she has set up a Facebook campaign urging other claimants in the same situation to share their stories.

"I am just so angry that the support I have received all my life is being taken away," she said. "And while they wait for the information from the courts and make a decision whether they will formally appeal, then I will not receive the additional payments.

"The stress this is putting my mother and I through it awful but I am determined to keep fighting them."