Alice has learning difficulties and has been receiving Employment and Support Allowance for many years. At her last DWP medical, Alice's ESA was stopped, as the DWP believed she was capable of work. She and her GP lodged a mandatory reconsideration (MR) of the decision to stop Alice's ESA and DWP then took 4 months to decline it and the matter has now gone to tribunal.
During this 4-5 month period, Alice has had no income, apart from help from family, and from us. We have helped her with food and fuel vouchers during this time.